Separatism - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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.

Types of separatism[change | change source]

Ethnicity[change | change source]

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

Religion[change | change source]

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[change | change source]

A proposed flag for Khalistan, the independent Sikh state.

Race[change | change source]

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[change | change source]

Gender-based separatism includes:

Related pages[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  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