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Separatism

Separatism is a political concept where a group—often defined by shared ethnic, racial, linguistic, geographical, or religious characteristics—seeks to gain independence from a larger governing body. This pursuit may involve striving for self-governance or creating distinct social structures that preserve the group's identity and protect it from outside cultural influences. While some separatist movements may escalate to revolutions or civil wars, others may manifest in less extreme forms, potentially leading to localized violence.

In the United States, separatist movements can be found among both white and black communities, often in opposition to one another, as well as in militia and survivalist groups. However, these movements tend to lack broad public support due to the country's diverse and pluralistic society, where individuals often identify with multiple groups. Consequently, while the U.S. government may tolerate expressions of separatism, it does so within the bounds of maintaining public order and safety. Understanding the nuances of separatism is essential for recognizing its impact on social dynamics and governance.

Full Article

As a concept, separatism may be defined as the goal or policy of a group of people that may be united by ethnic, racial, linguistic, geographical, and religious bonds to establish an independent government. When this group lacks the capacity to free itself from the existing sovereign authority, it can attempt to establish exclusive or segregated social mechanisms to express and preserve the group’s common identity. In addition, these serve to insulate the group from wider cultural influences. Full-blown separatism can lead to revolution and civil war. Less extreme versions of separatism can lead to localized violence.

In the United States, White and Black separatist movements exist, often in opposition to one another. The militia and survivalist movements reflect a similar mentality. Separatism of this sort does not appeal to the majority of Americans. Moreover, owing to the distinctive pluralism of American society, the US government tolerates such group expressions as long as they do not threaten public order or safety. Because most Americans are members of many groups with cross-cutting interests, separatist movements have a difficult time winning wider public participation or support.

What separatist groups in the United States lack in popularity, they often seek to achieve in notoriety. In Texas, a separatist movement has long kept its aspirations alive in hopes of an eventual withdrawal from the United States. This group is motivated by Texas's former status as an independent republic (1836–1846). Modern-day proponents term their efforts as "Texit," modeled after "Brexit," or the British withdrawal from the European Union, which transpired in 2020. The group also advocates many positions common to right-wing extremist groups. These include exaggerations or miscategorizations of the US immigration situation and disavowal of the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential elections.

In 2024, a movement in rural eastern Oregon promoted its secession from the existing state and its permanent alignment with the more conservative state of Idaho.


Bibliography

Bickerton, James. "Texas Secession 'Closer' Than Anyone Thinks." Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2024, www.newsweek.com/texas-secession-closer-anyone-thinks-1884088. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Brown, Brian A. Separatism. Echo, 1976.

Downen, Robert, and Uriel J. Garcia. "Texas’ Standoff with the Feds in Eagle Pass Is Igniting Calls for Secession and Fears of Violence." Texas Tribune, 30 Jan. 2024, www.texastribune.org/2024/01/30/texas-border-eagle-pass-standoff-secession. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Hall, Raymond L. Black Separatism and Social Reality: Rhetoric and Reason. Pergamon, 2013.

Hughes, Trevor. "Tired of Your State Politics? These Residents Are Looking to Secession As the Solution." USA Today, 20 May 2024, www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/05/19/oregon-idaho-state-secession-national-divorce/73677225007. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Roehner, Bertrand M., and Leonard J. Rahilly. Separatism and Integration: A Study in Analytical History. Rowman, 2002.

Siroky, David S., and John Cuffe. “Lost Autonomy, Nationalism and Separatism.” Comparative Political Studies, vol. 48, no. 1, 2015, pp. 3–34. Political Science Complete, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0010414013516927. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Spencer, Metta, ed. Separatism: Democracy and Disintegration. Rowman, 1998.

Wilson, Jacob Spenser. “Rural America’s Decline Fueled Oregon’s Secession Movement.” Jacobin, 11 Apr. 2024, jacobin.com/2024/04/greater-idaho-oregon-secession-movement. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Full Article

As a concept, separatism may be defined as the goal or policy of a group of people that may be united by ethnic, racial, linguistic, geographical, and religious bonds to establish an independent government. When this group lacks the capacity to free itself from the existing sovereign authority, it can attempt to establish exclusive or segregated social mechanisms to express and preserve the group’s common identity. In addition, these serve to insulate the group from wider cultural influences. Full-blown separatism can lead to revolution and civil war. Less extreme versions of separatism can lead to localized violence.

In the United States, White and Black separatist movements exist, often in opposition to one another. The militia and survivalist movements reflect a similar mentality. Separatism of this sort does not appeal to the majority of Americans. Moreover, owing to the distinctive pluralism of American society, the US government tolerates such group expressions as long as they do not threaten public order or safety. Because most Americans are members of many groups with cross-cutting interests, separatist movements have a difficult time winning wider public participation or support.

What separatist groups in the United States lack in popularity, they often seek to achieve in notoriety. In Texas, a separatist movement has long kept its aspirations alive in hopes of an eventual withdrawal from the United States. This group is motivated by Texas's former status as an independent republic (1836–1846). Modern-day proponents term their efforts as "Texit," modeled after "Brexit," or the British withdrawal from the European Union, which transpired in 2020. The group also advocates many positions common to right-wing extremist groups. These include exaggerations or miscategorizations of the US immigration situation and disavowal of the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential elections.

In 2024, a movement in rural eastern Oregon promoted its secession from the existing state and its permanent alignment with the more conservative state of Idaho.


Bibliography

Bickerton, James. "Texas Secession 'Closer' Than Anyone Thinks." Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2024, www.newsweek.com/texas-secession-closer-anyone-thinks-1884088. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Brown, Brian A. Separatism. Echo, 1976.

Downen, Robert, and Uriel J. Garcia. "Texas’ Standoff with the Feds in Eagle Pass Is Igniting Calls for Secession and Fears of Violence." Texas Tribune, 30 Jan. 2024, www.texastribune.org/2024/01/30/texas-border-eagle-pass-standoff-secession. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Hall, Raymond L. Black Separatism and Social Reality: Rhetoric and Reason. Pergamon, 2013.

Hughes, Trevor. "Tired of Your State Politics? These Residents Are Looking to Secession As the Solution." USA Today, 20 May 2024, www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/05/19/oregon-idaho-state-secession-national-divorce/73677225007. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Roehner, Bertrand M., and Leonard J. Rahilly. Separatism and Integration: A Study in Analytical History. Rowman, 2002.

Siroky, David S., and John Cuffe. “Lost Autonomy, Nationalism and Separatism.” Comparative Political Studies, vol. 48, no. 1, 2015, pp. 3–34. Political Science Complete, journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0010414013516927. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Spencer, Metta, ed. Separatism: Democracy and Disintegration. Rowman, 1998.

Wilson, Jacob Spenser. “Rural America’s Decline Fueled Oregon’s Secession Movement.” Jacobin, 11 Apr. 2024, jacobin.com/2024/04/greater-idaho-oregon-secession-movement. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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