Introduction

One of the most intriguing and controversial political trends is the reemergence of the idea of self-determination and the ensuing breakup of countries. Political economy and revenue sharing, fiscal federalism, party politics and even the type of legal tradition–common law or civil law federations, and cooperative and coercive federalism–have been systematically examined. Because of its significant conflict-resolution potential, federalism and federations have been subject to prolific studies covering all its possible aspects: origins, structures, size, number of constituent units, forms of government–presidential or parliamentary, symmetrical and asymmetrical, ethno-religious or administrative. The Iraqi federal system was accepted by domestic actors as a step to assuage the unforgiving rivalry between Kurds and Arabs and was imposed by external forces. The international community is sympathetic to an aspirant's claims to sovereignty under two conditions: if the remedial right to secession is invoked and substantiated; and a consent-based separation when the central government does not object to the split.