Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Theory of metropolitan response; 3. A quantitative analysis of secessionist outcomes; 4. The expansion and contraction of the British Empire; 5. The arc of Russian rule; 6. India and its many nations; 7. Conclusion.

Promotional Information

A novel analysis of secessionist movements, explaining state response, the likelihood of conflict, and the proliferation of states since 1945.

About the Author

Ryan D. Griffiths is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney. His research examines the dynamics of secession, patterns in sovereignty and international order, and he is a lead investigator on the International System(s) Dataset (ISD) Project. His work has been published in a number of journals including International Organization.

Reviews

'Griffiths provides a simple but powerful explanation of why we live in an 'age of secession', characterized by a steep increase in the number of states since 1945, and why some secessions are peaceful while others are violent. Located at the intersection of international relations and comparative politics, the book is a finely-crafted analysis of the evolution of the modern international system.' Jason Sharman, Griffith University, Queensland

'Ryan D. Griffiths not only greatly advances our understanding of secession but speaks to broader dynamics in international relations – the trends of colonization and decolonization and now, as he calls it, the age of secession. By using both compelling case studies and a sharply designed set of quantitative analyses, Griffiths makes a clear and convincing case for his argument that the reactions of the center to a group's separatist aspirations is the key to understanding the dynamics of fragmentation. This book is a major contribution that will be required reading for anyone seeking to understand ethnic conflict, civil war, sovereignty, and the history of international relations.' Stephen M. Saideman, Paterson Chair in International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa