Crossword Genius

A country unable to exercise self-control (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dependency

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'self-control' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'a country unable to exercise' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'exercise' could be 'pe' (Physical Education) and 'pe' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dependency that I've seen before include "like Ross's to New Zealand?" , "Country controlled by another" , "Addiction" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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