Separatism

advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, governmental or gender separation from the larger group
(Redirected from Separatist)

In a society, certain people may have ideas that are noticeably different from those of the majority. These people are called separatists (for example, the state or a religious group) recognises that their ideas are different. Very often, they also want autonomy, self-determination, and perhaps secession and independence from the main group.[1] People may support separatism because they are of a different culture, ethnicity, religion, race or gender than the majority. It may also be because they have different ideas about governing, laws or religion.

Catalan independentist mural in Belfast, an example of ethnic separatism.

Types of separatism

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Ethnicity

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Ethnic separatism is based more on differences in culture and language than religious or racial differences. These may also may exist, however.

Religion

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Religious separatist groups and sects want to withdraw from some larger religious groups.

The separation of beliefs and/or practices is often followed by a migration. The dissident group may fear sanctions for heresy if they stay in their original homeland.

Physical separation of different religions

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A proposed flag for Khalistan, the independent Sikh state.

Racial separatists are against their members marrying with other races. They want separate schools, businesses, churches and other institutions or even separate societies, territories and governments.

Gender

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Gender-based separatism includes:

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References

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  1. R. Harris, Jerry Harris, The Nation in the Global Era: Conflict and Transformation, Brill, 2009, p. 320, ISBN 90-04-17690-X, 9789004176904
  2. John Abbot Goodwin, The Pilgrim republic: an historical review of the colony of New Plymouth..., Houghton Mifflin Company, 1888, p. 1