Partial Sovereignty

Governments have long struggled with how to recognize diverse populations and administer restive minority regions. Partial Sovereignty offers insights into the successes and pitfalls of territorial autonomy as a solution. Shane Joshua Barter investigates how this governance system grants minorities a degree of sovereignty through asymmetrical self-government within the borders of host states. Barter delves into the forms, purposes, policy implications, and shortfalls of autonomous regions, covering iterations that are democratic (Åland in Finland, Wales), peacebuilding (Northern Ireland, Aceh in Indonesia), authoritarian (Tibet), and Indigenous (Guna Yala in Panama, Inuit in Canada). Partial Sovereignty convincingly argues that territorial autonomy is essentially a conservative, border-preserving institution designed to benefit both minority and majority populations. Understanding its value and seeing autonomous regions as their own political systems can make for more inclusive, peaceful minority politics.