1st Edition
Independence Movements in Subnational Island Jurisdictions
The dynamics for any moves for political independence in the 21st century are very different from those of the 20th. The aspirations of former colonies to independence are grinding to a halt; the rationale for selfdetermination is increasingly driven by strategic and pragmatic economic arguments, and not so much by nationalist appeals. Meanwhile, creative governance, fiscal vicissitudes and membership of supra-national bodies have ushered in examples of ‘sovereign states’ that approximate suzerain entities. Are independence movements active today aspiring to a different kind of sovereignty from their 20th century predecessors, one that secures autonomy at home, but which maintains a special relationship with a larger, richer, country? This collection critically reviews the origins, policies and aspirations of independence movements from the world’s subnational island jurisdictions, where a distinct and separate geography tends to facilitate the emergence of an equally distinct political and cultural identity. These island territories are the world’s top candidates for achieving sovereign status. And yet various factors are preventing them from making the final push towards independence.
This book was originally published as a special issue of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics
1. Editorial Introduction Godfrey Baldacchino and Eve Hepburn.
2. The Long-Term Propensity for Political Affiliation in Island Microstates Jerome L. McElroy & Courtney E. Parry both at St Mary’s College, University of Notre Dame, South Bend IN, USA
3. A diminishing tendency? Claims for island independence in an integrating Europe Eve Hepburn, University of Edinburgh, U.K.
4. Independence movements in the Caribbean: withering on the vine? Peter Clegg (University of the West of England, Bristol, U.K.)
5. Autonomy Development, Irredentism and Secessionism in a Nordic Context Maria Ackrén University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland) and Bjarne Lindström Director, Statistical Office of the Aland Islands
6. The experience of sovereignty in the American Pacific: island states and political autonomy in the 21st century Stephen Levine Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
7. The Evolving Manifestations of Sovereignty Today in the French Pacific Nathalie Mrgudovic Aston University, Birmingham, UK
8. The Islands of the Western Mediterranean: a diversity of meanings of independence - Andre' Fazi University of Corsica, Corte, Corsica, France
9. The Impact of a Scottish Referendum on Ethno-regionalist Movements in the British Isles Britt Cartrite & Elizabeth Knape both at Alma College, Alma MI, USA
10. A Useful Contrast? The Evolving Sovereignty of the European Continental Microstates Barry Bartmann University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
11. Island Nationalism in Newfoundland and Puerto Rico: The Role of Political Parties and Political Leaders Valerie Vezina PhD candidate, Université de Quebec à Montreal, Canada
12. Sovereignty-Association: An Odyssey David Milne Professor Emeritus, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
Biography
Eve Hepburn (PhD, European University Institute, Florence) is Deputy Director of the Academy of Government and Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, U. K.; Co-Editor of the Journal of Regional & Federal Studies; and Co-Convenor of the European Consortium for Political Research Standing Group on Federalism and Regionalism.
Godfrey Baldacchino (PhD, Warwick, UK) is Canada Research Chair (Island Studies) at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada; Visiting Professor of Sociology at the University of Malta, Malta; Executive Editor, Island Studies Journal; and Vice-President, International Small Islands Studies Association.
This is an important addition to the territorial politics literature. The contributors provide a compelling account of the evolving nature of territorial mobilisation in subnational island contexts. In doing so, they challenge the orthodoxy that only full sovereignty can satisfy the aspirations of independence movements. The book provides an empirically rich account of the different and innovative solutions sought (and achieved) in response to demands for autonomy in island jurisdictions.
Dr. Anwen Elias, Institute of Welsh Politics, Aberystwyth University, Wales, U.K.
This collection provides a fascinating new insight into a much-debated question: how much autonomy can small jurisdictions have in an inter-dependent world? The focus on islands gives a fresh perspective on the question of political order in a global age.
Michael Keating, Professor of Politics and ESRC professorial fellow, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
Almost everywhere on small islands, caution has replaced sovereigntist bluster, and pragmatism has prevailed in the search for safe, profitable and dignified alternatives. Offering a truly global perspective, this impressive collection of essays provides full coverage of the current state of play. Highly recommended.
David Milne, Professor Emeritus (Political Science), University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
