an authoritarian regime. Separatism in Latin America is largely an aspect of
nineteenth-century history (Anderson et al., 1974, ch. 3).
Few secessionist movements are likely to be successful in achieving full
independence for the people they represent, but it is unlikely that they will
give up the struggle and disband. They may, however, be crushed by the
superior military might of the national government – as in Nigeria, Zaire
and the Sudan. Occasionally, however, a separatist movement succeeds, as
in the case of the violent separation of East Pakistan to form the state of
Bangladesh, the secession of Somaliland from Somalia in 1991, the seces-
sion of Eritrea from Ethiopia in 1993, and East Timor’s independence from
Indonesia celebrated in 2002. Military conflict often marks the passage
from integration to autonomy, as with the birth of Bangladesh.
The political movements fighting for separation often do so in the name
of nationalism. Their aim is secession, though other organizations and fac-
tions may be prepared to negotiate for less than full separation. Before
examining the causes of ethnic separatism, the main aim of this chapter, it is
necessary to clarify some of the terms that are central to the analysis.
Secession
‘Secession’ may be defined as the formal separation of a region from a
nation-state of which it formerly constituted an integral part. The region
may already have experienced considerable decentralization of power.
Secession, however, is not further decentralization but complete separation
so that the breakaway region becomes a state in its own right, with its own
constitution and recognized as such in international law. Normally seces-
sionist movements aim at autonomy rather than integration with a neigh-
bouring country. Such autonomy does not necessarily mean that all political
and economic links with the ‘parent’ state will be severed. Economic rela-
tionships are particularly likely to persist, especially in the form of trade.
The central authorities of the parent state may attempt to contain seces-
sionist tendencies by offering various concessions, such as constitutional
autonomy which stops well short of separation (Brass, 1991, pp. 21, 54–5).
There is some evidence that a measure of devolution or federalism, rather
than encouraging secession by increasing the resources and identity of
regional minorities, actually reduces separatist demands by increasing the
power of moderate nationalist leaders. The case of Bougainville in Papua
New Guinea supports the view that democratic provincial devolution based
on effective and accountable provincial government, strengthens relations
Nationalism and Secession 195