The Economic Basis of Secessionist Aspirations

Abstract

In this chapter, the experience of the 37 secessionist cases is brought to bear on the following questions: To what degree are secessionist demands economic in nature, and to what degree is there an economic basis to secessionists’ demands? A discussion of the first question exemplifies clearly the regional variation in demands that was discussed in chapter 1. In other words, there are secessionist movements in which economic issues are of primary importance, such as Lombardy and Slovenia, and those in which they are secondary although nevertheless important. Even in regions such as Catalonia, the Basque Provinces, and Quebec, which are mostly concerned with linguistic freedom and cultural autonomy, the economic question nevertheless arises. In an effort to assess whether there is an economic basis to their demands, the five economic variables deemed to impact on secessionist aspirations are studied, data permitting.

Secession and autonomy movements are rife… members of international forums are collared to listen to the aspirations of serious-minded groups once seen as colorfully costumed denizens of the peripheries, nurturing dying tongues and worshipping strange gods or God strangely.

—Frederick Shiels

Arabs, who talk of “legitimate rights” of Palestinians, fall silent at the mention of the Kurds, who want only the autonomy that Palestinians have already been offered.

—William Safire