ABSTRACT
Why is it that some separatist movements produce violent confrontations between dominant and minority groups and others do not? What are the factors that can lead to the successful secession of a nation disenchanted with an existing political system? What are the conditions—domestic and international—that can impede successful secession? Specifically, do constitutional democracies make it easier or more difficult for a group to break away from the parent state? These are issues we explore in this chapter.
