Information AboutSeparatist |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT SEPARATISM | |
| political theories | |
| politics and race | |
| religion and politics | |
| sovereignty movements | |
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Separatism involves setting oneself or others apart. All social groupings can be seen as a form of separatism to some extent, as they rely on a Social Identity that explicitly or implicitly excludes non-members; the modern Nation State is one such example. However, while there is no distinction between these phenomena and separatism, the term "separatism" usually implies completely separate Societies . The term separatist movements usually refers to Social Movement s that aspire to Autonomy for a particular group of people from a dominant political institution under which they suffer, although separatism can also be enforced by a ruling political power, as occurred in South Africa under Apartheid . The grounds for separation can be regional, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious, or gender — or a combination of these factors. POLITICAL/ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATISM Political separatism may involve attempts to obtain ''. Separatist movements often operate using strictly constitutional and peaceful methods. The province of Quebec in Canada has, with the exception of the October Crisis of 1970, fostered a mostly peaceful separatist movement since (say) 1960. Broadly peaceful movements ended in the break-up of Czechoslovakia and of the Soviet Union . Singapore also peacefully Seceded from the Malaysian Federation. The formation of the Confederate States Of America in 1861 occasioned major warfare only after a series of arguably constitutional and orderly secessions. Separatism can also often take the form of a violent response to a past military takeover. Around the world many groups espouse separatism as the "only" way to achieve their goal of national liberation. These include the Basque ETA in France and Spain , Sikh separatists in India during the 1980s , the IRA in Ireland since the 1910s, and the Front De Libération Du Québec in the 1960s , culminating in the October Crisis in 1970 . These guerrilla campaigns can also lead to full-blown civil wars, as has happened in Chechnya . Violence usually diminishes when there exist political means that would-be separatists can use to gain more political and economic autonomy within the current constitutional order. Free elections and referenda sometimes help to reduce tensions. Very few countries acknowledge their potential divisibility, however. The Wars Erupting With The Break-up Of Yugoslavia for instance, despite constitutional provisions in the former Yugoslavia that theoretically allowed referenda and division if all member states agreed. Motivations for separatism Separatist movements often have at least a superficial basis in Nationalism or in religious fervour. More often than not, however, feelings of inadequate political clout and perceived economic (dis)advantage play an important role. Economics proved a factor in the break-up of Czechoslovakia; a principal cause involved Slovakia 's reluctance to abandon state-run industries, the core of its (regional) economy. Bohemia and Moravia -- the areas of the future Czech Republic -- had a greater willingness to experiment with the idea of a Free Market , and thus the countries parted. Quebec also provides an example of how political marginalisation can lead to separatist ambitions. Throughout the first century of Canadian Confederation from 1867, a small minority of Anglophone Montreal ers dominated the province politically and economically. Rejection of this ''status quo'' led to the growth of Quebec-first separatist groups in the 1960s and 1970s. Spain's Basque areas, which have not had independence for centuries, developed violent separatist groups in reaction to the violent suppression of Francisco Franco 's regime (furthermore, the Basque language, despite being minoritary, provides a basis for Basque nationalism, as in some other instances throughout the world). A similar pattern emerged in Ethiopia , where Eritrea n rebels expressed from anger at despotism and corruption. The nations of the northern Italian peninsula maintained political independence for centuries (for example Veneto had a separate Identity from the 10th to 19th centuries as the Republic Of Venice , Liguria acted independently for the best part of seven centuries -- see Republic Of Genoa ). The separatism of northern Italy has not only economic roots, but also linguistic (associated with the Gallo-romance language group) and cultural ones. Degrees of separation A wide spectrum of different intensities of separatist feeling and activity occurs in history:
Fickle separatisms Separatism can change in form, intensity and direction over time. Belgium fought a bloody war for nationhood in 1830, but in the late twentieth century became one of the vanguard countries in forming the multi-national European Union . Texan separatism became very real in 1836 and faded with the area's annexation to the United States in 1845, but the Republic Of Texas Group (s) maintain the tradition of an independent Texas to this day. Indians before 1947 agitated for their own Raj, only to experience Islamic separatism in the formation of Pakistan , which in turn fell victim to Bengali separatism in the setting up of an independent Bangladesh . Romantic notions of the constant inherent burning desire for a single national homeland do not always reflect the course of events. Countries dismembered by separatist movements c. 2001
OTHER HISTORICAL SEPARATIST MOVEMENTS
Entities which have proclaimed independence without gaining international recognition as independent countries
See also: List Of Unrecognized Countries States with separatist movements
See also: List Of Active Autonomist And Secessionist Movements ETHNIC/RACIAL SEPARATISM Ethnic separatism can refer to groups that attempt to separate themselves culturally and economically or racially, though not always seeking political autonomy. Note the history of Apartheid . Racially-based groups may seek to isolate themselves from other groups, for example groups supporting White Separatism or Black Separatism . See Identity Politics and Racial Separatism . RELIGIOUS SEPARATISM Religious groups whose members believe they should not interact with anyone except co-religionists tend to break into plethoras of Sect s. Religious separatism has become a particular feature of those Protestant churches in which ecclesiatical government and theological authority resides at the local, Congregational level. Compare the religious landscape of 15th-century Europe with that of 21st-century North America. And see Shunning as a potential tool of separation. Those who advocate a strict Separation Of Church And State often term themselves "separationists" (with "accommodationists" as the converse). GENDER AND SEXUALITY Separatist Feminism suggests that the political disparities between men and women cannot be readily resolved, and encourages women to direct their energies toward other women rather than men. A branch of separatist feminism known as Lesbian Separatism advocates Lesbian ism as the logical result of feminism. Not all separatist feminists advocate complete avoidance of men, but instead may refuse to participate in male-dominated institutions. Some advocate permanent separation, while others see it as a period necessary for personal growth. A number of small women-only communities with a separatist philosophy have emerged since the 1970s, sometimes allowing male children up to a certain age such as puberty. Depictions of women-only societies in fiction can be found throughout history, including stories of Amazons , or the 1915 utopian novel Herland . Some contemporary Queer and Transgender writers and activists have critiqued Gender as a form of separatism that artificially divides the human population into two classes. SEE ALSO
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