“In every state, without exception, there are people in state power who … assert that all the citizens of that state constitute a nation, one that has already determined its destiny. In the twenty-first century, [this] is in retreat in most countries.”
“Autonomy versus secession has geopolitical consequences. And these are crucial in terms of the ongoing struggles within the world-system as a whole. … Outside powers are primarily concerned with the geopolitical impact of the decision. But it is the role of these outside powers that is often decisive.”
- Immanuel Wallerstein, eminent International Relations scholar. See his comment here.