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Catalonia’s Ill-Fated Vote

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The police crackdown that Spain’s government carried out in Catalonia to stop the region's independence referendum has drawn criticism of both the Spanish authorities and Catalan regional officials for holding the vote. So when is secession legitimate?

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  1. Preserving Spain
    A child wearing a Catalan flag on his back SOPA Images/Getty Images

    Preserving Spain

    Sep 30, 2017 Ana Palacio argues that recognizing Catalonia's “right to decide” on secession would shatter the Spanish constitutional order.

  2. The Turn of the Kurds
    Ink-stained fingers in front of a Kurdish flag Safin Hamed/Getty Images

    The Turn of the Kurds

    Sep 29, 2017 Richard Haass proposes five criteria for judging the legitimacy of secession – and thinks Iraqi Kurdistan meets them all.

  3. The Who, Where, and When of Secession
    Students gather as they demonstrate against the position of the Spanish government Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

    The Who, Where, and When of Secession

    Sep 29, 2017 Joseph S. Nye, Jr. shows why the right of national self-determination falls short of being a primary moral principle.

  4. Is There A Right To Secede?
    Scottish Referendum Neil Winton/Flickr

    Is There A Right To Secede?

    Jul 9, 2014 Peter Singer considers the merits of Scotland and Catalonia's bids for independence.

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