Independence and Independence Movements: Between Theory and Practice

This course has a dual focus. Our empirical point of reference are independence movements that continue to shape the political landscape in Europe as well as world wide. They can be analysed and discussed from the point of view of comparative politics, highlighting domestic issues and relations between state and sub-state actors, institutions and jurisdictions, as well as from an international politics perspective focussing on the international conditions and repercussions of independence movements and secession. In parallel, they come with a series of theoretical questions. In today's world, the justification of secession is as much a subject of debate as the meaning of independence, sovereignty and self-determination. Thus, in this course we will look at a series of contemporary cases of as well as at a number of theoretical debates surrounding independence movements in Europe and the world.