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Emerging States & Claims to Autonomy and Independence
States like to pretend that they are "eternal," but states are really quite ephemeral. Old states fall apart and new ones come into being. In the 1990s, Czechoslovakia divided into two states, while Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union collapsed into many smaller states. What moves people to claim the right to form a new state, and what leads to a successful outcome (i.e. independence)? In a globalizing world, with decreasing national sovereignty and closer ties between people everywhere, what is the attraction of forming another independent state? Repressive governments, denying minority populations their rights, seem to be the main impetus for independence movements. But once independence is gained, other minorities may, in turn, be disregarded or oppressed in the new emerging state. As an alternative to independence, some groups call for increased autonomy within the same state. Though, increased autonomy sometimes increases claims for future independence.
Also See GPF's Pages on:
Nations & States
General Analysis of Emerging States & Claims to Autonomy and Independence
This page posts general articles, documents and other information on Emerging States & Claims to Autonomy and Independence.Catalonia and Basque Country
This page provides articles analyzing the independence struggles in Spain.The Balkans
This page provides articles analyzing the independence struggles in the Balkans.East Timor
This page posts articles, documents and other information on East Timor.Kurdistan
This page posts information, including articles and reports on Kurdistan.Palestine
This page posts articles, documents and other information on Palestine.Puerto Rico
This page provides information on the independence efforts in Puerto Rico.The Roma
This page posts articles, documents and other information analyzing the situation of the Roma people in Europe.Scotland
This page provides articles, documents and other information on Scotland.Somaliland
This page provides articles, documents and other information on Somaliland.West Papua
This page links to articles and reports on West Papua.Indigenous Peoples
This page posts articles and documents on the struggle of indigenous peoples all over the world.Links and Resources
This page provides links and resources on Emerging States & Claims to Autonomy and Independence.
