Abstract
Disintegration of state entities is not only up-to-date topic because of present-day conflicts all over the world. It has been continuously present phenomenon since the formations of the first state entities.
Despite the fact of its continuous presence and importance, it has not been systematically and complexly researched in political science up to the present. The main aim of the paper is, therefore, try to conceptualize disintegration of state entities.
First, the term state entity disintegration and related terms are semantically and terminologically defined. Disintegration is approached from a broader institutional perspective than conventionally is.
It is defined as a continuum of differently intensive processes from mere weakening up to loss of state entity cohesion. Second, the basic types of disintegration are defined as internal disintegration, where entity continues in its existence within its entire territory; partial disintegration, where entity also continues in its existence, but without one or more parts of its territory; and absolute disintegration, where entity completely ceases to exist.
Third, particular ideal types of disintegration are identified within these basic types of disintegration. Ideal types are defined as breakpoints when disintegration gets into qualitatively different state of being in terms of integrity or cohesion of state entity.
Altogether, the paper presents a new approach to disintegration of state entities by creation of the original typology and also lays the foundations for further theoretical and empirical research of the topic.