macronation

An internationally recognised country, as opposed to a micronation; a sovereign state, especially a member or observer state of the United Nations.

I suggest, however, that micronations perform a useful function for "macronations" -- providing an opportunity to experiment with new and radical forms of government in a world that appears to be increasingly centralized, with less and less room for experimentation.

They still worked in the US, but sent a notice of secession to the macronation's government. I remember seeing the article in the "Lifestyle" section of the Times, and it started me to wondering.

A large country; a sovereign state of considerable size, population or both.

This brings us, finally, to those countries that we think can safely be labeled as democracies today, keeping in mind the widely accepted two key requirements […] Based on the foregoing discussion, and (to repeat) excluding the microstates, we would offer the following honor roll of what, for want of a better term, we call the democratic "macronations" […]

Excluding microstates with a population of less than one million people there are 29 democratic macronations.

A large nation; a nation of considerable size in population or membership.