Wikipedia
A proto-state, quasi-state or state embryo is a political entity that has some of the characteristics of a state but is not considered fully established. The term is often used to describe Islamist militant groups that exercise some territorial control, particularly the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Proto-states are not able to exert their national sovereignty entirely because of the fault of institutions and may be not recognised by the international community. Nowadays, most of the proto-states have appeared because of failures in the previous State ( failed state) or the failed attempt of impose a State to a ethnic minority geographically concentrated. They use to be in permanent war and have little wealth. Their population use to be reduced. The most important case is the Islamic State. Although many people consider it an insurgent terrorist group, in fact it is a proto-state: it owns a bureaucracy, is able to exert a legal monopoly —even collecting taxes— and has an army. It is a totalitarian proto-state that finances itself by mafia methods and attracts Muslims of other countries. Other examples are postcolonial Mali, early Kosovo and Palestine.