Manoylo A.V. Separatism: global experience and Russian realities

Abstract: In today’s political and legal practices, the term “separatism” is understood rather broadly. It is defined as: demands for self-determination by territories within states, their following separation and independence (secessionism); employment of illegal (violent) means for expanding the power of an autonomy, or a subject within federations and confederations. In some cases, separatist movements (groups) may work in adjacent countries towards unification with their neighbor country, or its part (irredentism). Separatist movements create political parties (which are often of nationalist in nature), military (terrorist) organizations, and “governments in exile”, when possible. Currently, separatist movements grow in strength all around the world, becoming a global ethnopolitical problem. The main goal of separatism is the secession of territories of multinational states and creating independent national governments. In the modern world, the destructive influence of separatism affects almost all countries. It manifests itself in several ways: as a phenomenon present in multinational and multiconfessional countries, and as means of realization for geopolitical interests of leading world powers. The latter case clearly suggests a far-reaching goal of structural transformation of existing world order.

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