The politics of creating new states: A conceptual introduction
| Author | Matt Qvortrup,Guy Lachapelle |
| Date | 01 November 2020 |
| Published date | 01 November 2020 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0192512120946057 |
| Subject Matter | Special Issue Introduction |
https://doi.org/10.1177/0192512120946057
International Political Science Review
2020, Vol. 41(5) 617 –621
© The Author(s) 2020
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DOI: 10.1177/0192512120946057
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The politics of creating new states:
A conceptual introduction
Guy Lachapelle
Concordia University, Canada
Matt Qvortrup
Coventry University, UK
Abstract
Drawing on the theoretical distinction between, respectively, ‘civic’ and ‘ethnic’ nationalism and the
conceptual distinction between polyarchies and various degrees of competitive autocracies, this introductory
article make a distinction between four pure types of independence movements. Based on this typology, the
article sets the scene and presents the context for the articles in the Special Issue.
Keywords
Sovereignty, state building, independence, nation building, secession
It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or
more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the
innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders
in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents, who have
the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things
until they have had a long experience of them. (Machiavelli, 1990: 28)
Niccoló Machiavelli’s famous quote from Il Principe – a book, we should not forget, aimed at
creating a unified Italian polity – could be the epitaph for all attempts, successful or otherwise, of
creating new states. Political change is never easy, and creating a whole new nation is perhaps the
most difficult of all.
Corresponding author:
Matt Qvortrup, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, Cheetah Rd, Coventry CV1 2TL,
UK.
Email: ac0951@coventry.ac.uk
946057IPS0010.1177/0192512120946057International Political Science ReviewQvortrup and Lachapelle
research-article2020
Special Issue Introduction
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