Separatism

Political separatism is a movement to obtain sovereignty and split a territory or group of people (usually defined by ethnic seperatisim) from one another (or one nation from another; a colony from the metropolis). Separatist movements are sometimes peaceful. For example the thus far unsuccessful one in Quebec, Canada which has taken place over the last three decades, or the one that ended in the break up of Czechoslovakia. Separatism is often a violent response to a military takeover. Around the world many terrorist groups espouse separatism as their main goal. These include the Basque ETA in France and Spain, Sikh separatists in India during the 1980s, the IRA in Ireland at the turn of the century and the Front de Libération du Québec in the 1960s. These guerrilla campaigns can also lead to full-blown civil wars as has been seen in Chechnya. Violence is usually reduced when there are free political means that can be used to pursue separatist goals. Free elections and referenda often help reduce tensions. Very few countries are willing to acknowledge that they are divisible, however. The wars erupting with the break-up of Yugoslavia are a principal example of that, despite constitutional provisions allowing division and referenda.

Table of contents

1 Motivations for separatism 2 Countries that have recently broken apart because of separatist movements 3 Countries which have proclaimed independence, but are not internationally recognized 4 Countries which have independence, but have not declared independence 5 Countries with separatist movements 6 Other uses of the term "separatism"

Motivations for separatism

\nSeparatist movements are often superficially based upon nationalism or religious fervour. More often than not, however, feelings of inadequate political clout and economics play an important role. The northern Italian separatist movement is an example of an almost purely economically based separatist group. The northern separatists feel that the south of the country is an economic hindrance and thus push for separation. Economics can also be seen in the break up of Czechoslovakia; one of the main causes was Slovakia's reluctance to abandon state-run industries, which were the core of its economy. The Czech Republic was far more prepared to embrace the free market, and thus the countries parted. Quebec is also an example of how political disenfranchisement can lead to separatist ambitions. Throughout the first century of Canadian confederation, Quebec was politically and economically dominated by a small minority of Anglophone Montrealers. Rejection of this status quo led to the growth of Quebec-first separatist groups in the 1960s and '70s. Spain's Basque areas, which have not been independent for millennia, developed violent separatist groups in reaction to the violent suppression of Francisco Franco's regime. A similar pattern was followed in Ethiopia where Eritrean rebels were far more angry at despotism and corruption than passionate about the nation of Eritrea which does not have a long or distinctive history.

Countries that have recently broken apart because of separatist movements

\n*Czechoslovakia - into the Czech Republic and Slovakia\n*Ethiopia - separation of Eritrea\n*Indonesia - separation of East Timor\n*Yugoslavia - into Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Slovenia, and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia and Montenegro)\n*Soviet Union

Countries which have proclaimed independence, but are not internationally recognized

\n*Chechnya\n*Puntland\n*Somaliland\n*Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus\n*State of Palestine See also Micronation

Countries which have independence, but have not declared independence

\n*Taiwan

Countries with separatist movements

• Belgium - Both Flemish and Walloon separatists exist, but the Flemish are more prominent (See Flemish movement)\n*Burma - Karens (Karen National Union, east Burma).\n*Canada - French-speaking province of Quebec (FLQ, Parti Québécois, Bloc Québécois)\n*China - Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang\n*Democratic Republic of the Congo - eastern areas\n*France - Corsica, Brittany, and Savoy\n*Georgia - Abkhazia and South Ossetia\n*Germany - Bavaria\n*India - Kashmir and Sikhs\n*Indonesia - Aceh, Irian Jaya, Maluku\n*Iraq - Kurds and Shiites\n*Israel - Palestinians\n*Italy - Padania, (Lega Nord), South Tyrol\n*Mexico - Tamaulapas \n*Moldova - Transnistria\n*Nigeria\n*Pakistan - Kashmir\n*Philippines - Muslim separatists in south\n*Russia - Chechnya\n*Serbia and Montenegro - Kosovo (Kosovo Liberation Army) and Montenegro\n*Somalia - Somaliland\n*South Africa - Zulu areas\n*Spain - Basque (ETA) region, Catalonia, and Galicia\n*Sri Lanka - Tamils (Tamil Tigers)\n*Sudan - Christian south\n*St. Kitts and Nevis - Nevis\n*Sweden - Terra Scania\n*Turkey - Kurds\n*United Kingdom - Northern Ireland (IRA, Sinn Fein, Social Democratic and Labour Party), Scotland (Scottish National Party), Wales, and Cornwall\n*United States - Hawaii

See also: List of active autonomist and secessionist movements

Other uses of the term "separatism"

\nEthnic separatism is also used to refer to groups that attempt to separate themselves culturally and economically or racially though not always seeking political autonomy. Examples of this include:\n* religious groups whose members believe they should not interact with anyone except co-religionists\n* racially-based groups that seek to isolate themselves from other groups, for example groups supporting white separatism or black separatism. See identity politics\n* feminist separatists aim to remain separate from men and, according to The Official Politically Correct Dictionary, do not associate with men, heterosexual women or lesbians with male children. \n\nCategory:Politics