heterarchy

noun3

1. •
   A system of organization where the elements of the organization are unranked (non-hierarchical) or where they possess the potential to be ranked a number of different ways.

   • When a group operates as a heterarchy, everyone is a leader in their own domain.
2. •
   The rule of an alien; rule from without; government by an extraterritorial power.

   • Despite installing puppet governments in the marches, the subjects of the empire’s conquered territories were still very conscious of living under heterarchy.
3. •
   An example of this government.

   • The proposed liberation of our largely undeveloped economy goes too far — the resulting foreign dominance of our markets would make us a heterarchy.