Kommentar |
Secession is a withdrawal of a territory from an existing state and the creation of a new state on that territory. Unlike other forms of opposition to political authority, secessionist aspirations challenge territorial integrity - one of the core values of the state, and thus often provoke violent and protracted conflicts. Due to their brutality and possible destabilizing spill-over effects, secessionist conflicts attract attention of various outside actors. Typical interveners include great and regional powers, neighbouring states, intergovernmental organizations (UN, EU, African Union), NGOs and diasporas, whose aim is either to mediate or to support one of the parties to the conflict. The knowledge about secession can thus be of considerable relevance for future careers in international affairs.
Through discussion and research, you will gain understanding of the essence of secessionist conflicts, of their causes and consequences on both domestic and international levels. You will be able to grasp the interrelation between secession, nationalism and self-determination as well as to distinguish secessionist conflicts from other forms of territorial disputes. Special attention will be also given to minority claim-making and to the process of international recognition.
During the course you will design and conduct research on one of the secessionist conflicts, posing a clear and innovative research question and applying the theoretical concepts consulted in the first part of the seminar. |
Bemerkung |
Wer die erste Sitzung der Lehrveranstaltung versäumt, ohne sich vorher schriftlich oder persönlich zu entschuldigen, kann den Anspruch auf einen Platz in der LV verlieren, wenn es mehr Interessenten als Plätze gibt. Dies gilt ungeachtet der Platzzuweisung durch Friedolin und ist im Einklang mit der grundsätzlichen Aufhebung der Anwesenheitspflicht. |