No More States? Globalization, National Self-Determination, and Terrorism

The twentieth century witnessed an explosion of new nations carved out of existing ramshackle empires and multiethnic states. Many observers contend that the creation of new states will continue indefinitely, with the two hundred of today becoming the four hundred of tomorrow as more groups seek independence. This provocative and compelling book explores the impact of globalization and terrorism on this trend, arguing convincingly that the era of national self-determination has finally come to an end.

Examining the forces that determine the emergence of new nation-states, the distinguished contributors consider a rich array of specific cases from the Middle East, Asia, North America, Europe, and Russia where new states could be created.

They contend that globalization, rather than expanding such opportunities, is not as friendly to new weak states with limited resources as it is to established rich nations. Given the vast sums circulating in the world market, few fledgling nations can be financially independent. They find it more prudent to shelter within the protective embrace of existing federations. Equally, governments of federal states can induce restive petitioners—such as Quebec, Scotland, and the Basques—to remain inside the metropolitan boundary through a system of tangible restraints and rewards. Those who reject the benefits, such as rebels in Chechnya and Aceh, will fail in their bids for independence. Taiwan—poised on a knife-edge between integration with China and independence—faces a series of costs and diminished returns if it seeks full statehood. Finally, terrorism has lost its legitimacy as a technique for gaining independence in the eyes of the international community.

Despite the stall in new state formation, there has been no sign of successful military or imperial expansion by established countries toward consolidation into fewer, larger national units. Neither aggression by regional states—such as the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990, nor intervention—such as the U.S. occupation of Iraq in 2003, are likely to succeed. On balance, the book concludes, discontented national movements will have to find ways to exist within current geopolitical boundaries.

"For 500 years, as empires fell and fiefdoms vanished, the nation-state has proven an evolutionary winner—its number soaring from 50 to 200 since World War II. Will globalization and integration, nuclear weapons and terrorism, finally do it in? For some astute and surprising answers, read this excellent collection."—Josef Joffe, publisher-editor, Die Zeit; Abramowitz Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University

"An outstanding collection of essays on the deepening of economic globalization and its impact on nationalism, state formation, and stability in the international system."—T. V. Paul, McGill University

"Richard Rosecrance and Arthur Stein deal with one of the most important and understudied issues in global politics today—the question of state fragmentation and state formation. The chapters in this volume provide fresh thinking on why states exist and how they are defined."—Francis Fukuyama, Johns Hopkins University, author of The End of History and the Last Man