Secession

Secession is the unilateral withdrawal of an integral part of a state's territory. Secession generally aims to establish a separate political entity, typically a sovereign state, although it may instead seek accession to another existing state.

Secession often begins with an act such as a declaration of independence, and may be pursued peacefully or through armed conflict. Scholars distinguish secession from related concepts such as separatism. Theories of secession differ over its causes, moral justification, and legal status, including whether groups possess a general right of secession or only a remedial right in cases of serious injustice. International law generally neither recognizes a broad right of unilateral secession nor absolutely prohibits it, while the constitutional law of individual states varies considerably.

Secession has occurred throughout history through decolonization, the breakup of federations and multinational states, and regional independence movements. Historical and contemporary secessionist movements have sought independence or greater autonomy in many parts of the world. Threats of secession may be used to obtain greater autonomy or other political concessions short of independence.

Secession theory

According to the 2017 book Secession and Security, by political scientist Ahsan Butt, states respond violently to secessionist movements if the potential state poses a greater threat than the would-be secessionist movement.