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republic

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banana republic

A small country, often led by a corrupt government, whose economy depends upon either one internally-produced commodity or the revenue generated by foreign companies or investors. The dictator's insistence that the tiny island nation double down on its dominate export has made it even more of a banana republic.

See also: banana, republic

people's republic

A republic that is governed by a national Communist party. With the way the Communist party has been gaining power, I think we'll be living in a people's republic soon enough.

See also: republic

a banana republic

  (informal)

a small, poor country with a weak or dishonest government People fear that the country will become a banana republic if the economy doesn't pick up.

See also: banana, republic