What is the difference between balkanization and a shatterbelt? What is the difference between balkanization and a shatterbelt? C. Balkanization is the fragmentation of an empire into smaller, often ethnically diverse political units and a shatterbelt is the tool the empire used to break it apart A. Balkanization is the result and a Shatterbelt is the process D. None of the above is correct B. Balkanization is the breaking of a state into smaller, often hostile political units and a shatterbelt is a region where the boundaries have changed many times