Plurinationality, plurinational, or plurinationalism is defined as the coexistence of two or more sealed or preserved national groups within a polity[1] (an organized community or body of peoples[2]). In plurinationalism, the idea of nationality is plural, meaning there are many nationals within an organized community or body of peoples. Derived from this concept, a plurinational state is the existence of multiple political communities and constitutional asymmetry. The usage of plurinationality assists in avoiding the division of societies within a state or country. Furthermore, a plurinational democracy recognizes the multiple demoi (common people or populace)[3] within a polity.[1] Reportedly the term has its origin in the Indigenous political movement in Bolivia where it was first heard of in the early 1980s.[4] As of 2022 Bolivia and Ecuador are constitutionally defined as plurinational states.[5]
Plurinational states are similar to multinational states, but are particularly often advocated for by indigenous peoples.[6]