The struggles for independence and the impact of redrawing borders

Summary

The video discusses the growing number of countries in the United Nations, from 51 in 1945 to 193 today, and the complexities surrounding secessionist movements. It highlights examples like Catalonia, Kurdistan, Taiwan, and Somaliland, explaining the challenges they face in seeking independence. The video underscores the absence of clear international rules for forming a state, referencing the Montevideo Convention. It explores the difficulties and dangers of redrawing borders, as shown by the troubled histories of South Sudan and Eritrea, and concludes that while independence may seem appealing, it often leads to instability.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The number of United Nations members has grown from 51 in 1945 to 193 today.
• 🗳️ Catalonia declared independence from Spain in 2017, following a referendum that the Spanish government deemed illegal.
• ⚖️ Catalan leaders face potential jail sentences for rebellion and sedition after their independence movement.
• 🇮🇶 The autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq also held an independence referendum, which angered the Baghdad government and neighboring countries.
• 🔗 There are more than 8,000 ethno-cultural groups globally, many of which seek independence, but achieving this is challenging.
• 🌐 The Montevideo Convention outlines four conditions for statehood: a permanent population, defined territory, a government, and the capacity for foreign relations.
• 🇹🇼 Taiwan functions as an independent state, though it is not internationally recognized due to pressure from China.
• 🌍 Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized to avoid regional instability.
• 🇪🇷 Eritrea's independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and South Sudan's secession from Sudan in 2011 have both led to significant challenges.
• ⚠️ Independence movements often lead to instability, and while appealing, they frequently cause more problems than they solve.

Q & A

How many countries were originally part of the United Nations in 1945?

The United Nations originally had 51 member states in 1945.

How many countries are members of the United Nations today?

Today, the United Nations has 193 member countries.

What happened after Catalonia declared independence from Spain in 2017?

After Catalonia declared independence in 2017, Spain dismissed the region's government and ordered new elections. Catalan politicians leading the movement faced the risk of long jail sentences if found guilty of rebellion and sedition.

Why was the Kurdish independence referendum controversial?

The Kurdish independence referendum was controversial because it was declared illegal by the Baghdad government, which then seized back lands the Kurds had taken beyond their autonomous region. Neighboring countries, also with Kurdish minorities, opposed it.

How many ethno-cultural groups are estimated to exist globally?

There are estimated to be more than 8,000 ethno-cultural groups in the world.

What are the four basic criteria outlined by the Montevideo Convention for a region to become a state?

According to the Montevideo Convention, a region needs a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states to become a state.

Why is Taiwan not recognized as a state by most countries despite functioning as one?

Although Taiwan operates as a modern democratic state with its own constitution and government, China regards it as a renegade province and insists that no country can have diplomatic ties with both China and Taiwan. As a result, only 19 countries, plus the Vatican, officially recognize Taiwan.

What challenges prevent Somaliland from being recognized as an independent state?

Somaliland's recognition could encourage other separatist movements in the region, weaken the federal government of Somalia, and potentially lead to war, which is why no foreign government has recognized its independence since it declared separation in 1991.

What have been the outcomes of the two major changes to African borders since the 1960s?

Eritrea, which declared independence from Ethiopia in 1993, now has a despotic government and is mired in poverty. South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan in 2011, has suffered from civil war, displacement, hyperinflation, famine, and violence.

What are some risks associated with redrawing borders for independence?

Redrawing borders can be dangerous, as it often causes new problems, such as conflicts, instability, and poor governance, as seen in the cases of South Sudan and Eritrea.