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 goverance 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 interations that are democratic (Åland in Finland, Wales), peace-building (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.