Abstract: The object of the research is so-called unrecognized states as well as analysis of politico-legal and ethno-social causes of the development of unrecognized states under modern conditions. The conflict between the identity right and the territorial integrity right today determines politico-legal processes that result in the formation of unrecognized states. At the same time, the process of the formation of unrecognized states has acute internal problems that may arise between the central government and ethnic and other shared identities. The research is based on the analysis of the aforesaid processes from the point of view of humanitarian values and applying the principles of scientificity, objectivity and historicism. In the course of the research the author has used methods of historical and political resaerch, in particular,  monographic, descriptive and comparative historical methods. The main conclusion of the research is that the primary factor that forms an unrecognized state is the development of secessionism processes. Practically all secessionism movement may result in the development of an unrecognized state because the emergence of a secessionism movement automatically means segregation of a part of the state and population.