The Dynamics and Drivers of the Creation of New Federating Units: A Global Perspective

Abstract

Cultural diversity has been the moving spirit behind identity politics which characterizes the multi-ethnic states. The socio-economic and political marginalization engenders sub-nationalism underpinned by the ethnolinguistic plurality of that society. Many countries, notably India, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Switzerland, the Philippines and South Africa, have had to face subnationalist movements. To eliminate the sense of alienation and deprivation, a number of the countries took a corrective measure based on the reconfiguration of federating units along ethnic lines. Ethnic multiplicity has to be managed by the promotion of unity through diversity. This academic endeavour seeks to analyze the dynamics and drivers of the creation of new federating units by different countries across the globe.