Sentence:  [O]rganizations and enterprises in the regions, run in a personal way almost as local corporations, or what I call "<WSD>suzerainties</WSD>," by local bosses, have strengthened themselves and increased their social functions to protect their members. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A relation between states in which a subservient nation has its own government, but is unable to take international action independent of the superior state; a similar relationship between other entities.