Separatismo (Separatism)

Abstract

Most of the world's trouble spots arise from separatism, passionate demand for autonomy or independence by ethnic minorities--Kosovo, ETA, Kashmir, Tamil Tigers, East Timor and many others. This article tries to explain this phenomenon. It needs to be distinguished from the dissolution of empires and from irredentism and civil wars. Its motives are often religious, especially Moslem, but Kurdistan and ETA represent ethnic minorities. Western public opinion tends to support the separatist cause. The best hope of avoiding conflict rests on the grant of a measure of political autonomy and rights to religious freedom and use of the national language. JEL Codes: D72, D74 Keywords: War

Keywords

• War