ABSTRACT
As an over-arching narrative, separatism is the claim for political control by a distinct community over the territory it inhabits which constitutes part of an existing state (Radan 2008) or, more particularly, through 'the use or threat of force'. The principles are that separatism applies to a particular territory, that it is claimed by a bonded group and that the group has a grievance towards the state that acts as the rationale for separation. A dependent principle is a qualified proposition, in this case about requirements for separatism to exist, and is reliant upon or deduced from another proposition. Legitimacy, or its lack, has already been identified as a crucial motivator for separatist movements. Colonialism and its consequences have an important secondary role to play in the formation of separatist movements. This is perhaps less a question of theoretical understanding and more a simple arithmetical balance of force to produce a particular outcome.
