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Secession

Definition

Secession is the act of formally withdrawing from an existing political entity or state. It involves declaring independence and establishing separate governance in order to create a new sovereign entity.

Analogy

Think of secession like leaving your family's house to live on your own. You declare your independence and establish your own rules and way of life separate from your family unit.

Related terms

Self-Determination: Self-determination refers to the right of people or groups to choose their political status and decide their own future without interference.

Balkanization: Balkanization is the process by which larger states break up into smaller nations due to political conflicts based on ethnicity, religion, culture, etc.

Decolonization: Decolonization refers to the process by which colonies gain independence from their colonial rulers, establishing themselves as independent states.