What is a separatist? Why do they want to separate? Let’s answer these
questions.
Separatist: A separatist is a person who wishes to have
their region of land separated from a particular governments influence. So this
can mean wanting to have your province gain self rule or to separate from a
country completely and become an independent State. Examples of this are how
some people of Long Island (consisting of a number of counties) of
New York State want to become an independent
State. In short they want to be the 51st State while separating from the rest
of
New York
on account of taxes and their values not being represented. Other separatists
exist in countries like
Belgium
where one part is deeply influenced by their French neighbors while the other
is influenced by their German neighbors. This has caused cultural divisions
which have some in that country thinking it should be split in two. So this is
a separatist, a person who wants independence or self rule from another
governing body.
Reasons to separate: The reasons really do vary.
Long Island wants to separate due to taxation in a
similar manner as the original 13 colonies did when they separated from British
control in the American Revolution. In
Belgium it is a cultural rift.
Parts of
California and
Oregon States
want to become their own country as they feel ignored by their State
governments due to population size and geographical differences. Similarly,
there are parts of States that are literally dead zones to interstate traffic
and are thus ignored by State governments.
Portugal
separated from
Spain
based on Language and cultural identities that gained enough support to warrant
their own independent country. So basically, it comes down to culture, representation
and money.
Success rate: From all that I have read, the success rate
for separation is very low. Typically war ends up breaking out (see
America’s civil
war) and the group trying to become independent usually looses. Long Island
(where I live in
New York) will never be free
of
New York
unless the State legislature lets us go (which is not happening any time soon
as we provide allot of money in taxes to the State capital). Quite frankly you
have a better success rate in trying to transform your government by changing
things from within.
Conclusion: People in
America are made fun of for being a
separatist. But in truth they are separatists because of their pride as a
member of a community. It is also a warning sign that indicates that the
country may be going in the wrong direction if their is enough people saying I
want to leave. So these people should not be ignored or ridiculed, but listened
too to find out what exactly they feel is wrong in the country. Separatists are
a warning sign of the possibility of bad things to come. Embrace them to
understand them or face the possible consequences
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