ABSTRACT
Heterogeneity of preferences leads to various types of conflicts. One of the most pronounced in modern Europe is the secessionist tension leading to disintegration under the umbrella of the European integration. A view of the map of European secessionist regions reminds us of Europe on the eve of the Vienna Congress. Secession might take on both forms of conflicts: armed as well as unarmed. This chapter examines secession as the conflict, which has its roots in the heterogeneity of preferences. Romantic factors are connected to the romantic nationalism, they are non-pecuniary and contribute to the creation of the human group identity. Ethnicity, language and religion as the traditional romantic factors can be extended by culture as the institutional factor and the effect of education. Secessionist tendencies are clearly connected to the heterogeneity in political opinions. Secessionist parties in Spain frequently present themselves as left-wing.
