In the late 1990s the world is experiencing many civil wars, many of which are being waged over the issue of secession. This text offers a comparative view of nine historic separatist movements, some of which have achieved the break-up of an empire or a state, and others that to date have not.

This book offers a comparative view of nine historic separatist movements, some of which have achieved the break-up of an empire or a state, and others that to date have not. The authors analyze the long term effects of secession: after partition, ethnic strife typically continues for generations; minorities decline in status; and democracy and human rights are derogated.