Using innovative methods to analyze both advanced democracies and developing countries, Jason Sorens shows how central governments can alleviate or increase ethnic minority demands for regional autonomy. He argues that when countries treat secession as negotiable and provide legal paths to pursuing it rather than absolutely prohibiting independence, violence is far less likely. Additionally, independence movements encourage government policies of decentralization that may be beneficial to regional minorities. An informative investigation of the root causes of political violence, Secessionism provides a clear-eyed look at independence movements for both governments and secessionists.

Jason Sorens' profile page

Jason Sorens is assistant professor of political science at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.

"Sorens has provided a rich, detailed, and well-researched accounting of the dynamics of secession. Scholars interested in secession, ethnic conflict, or state behavior in the context of intrastate violence should find this book a desirable waypoint for research projects associated with these topics. Secessionism: Identity, Interest, and Strategy is a useful and needed addition to the literature on intrastate violence by providing a study that captures the unique political, social, and economic factors associated with secession." Robert Brathwaite, Northern Illinois University

"All in all, this book raises an important criticism of the conventional wisdom concerning how governments should deal with the potential for secession, and it asks us to think more critically about the link between the desires of minorities and what they might be induced to settle for short of secession. This is a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in secession." Kathleen Gallagher Cunningham, University of Maryland

"[Kendrick] is scrupulously exact in his narrative and analysis ... a very interesting book written with a good deal of vigour and no little wit." Timothy Anna, Distinguished Professor of History, University of Manitoba.
"Not only [is] the biography the first available in English, but Kendrick set out to accomplish aims neglected by most historians . .. Kendrick presents new ideas based upon Malaspina's personal correspondence and other archival sources." Christon I. Archer, Professor of History, University of Calgary.