AP Syllabus focus:
‘Factors leading to devolution include ethnic separatism and ethnic cleansing; explain how ethnic conflict can push states toward fragmentation or autonomy demands.’
Ethnic separatism and ethnic cleansing reshape political spaces by intensifying conflict, challenging state authority, and motivating groups to demand autonomy, territorial control, or complete separation from existing political structures.
Ethnic Separatism and Ethnic Cleansing
Ethnic separatism and ethnic cleansing are powerful devolutionary forces that weaken state unity and alter political geography by intensifying conflict between ethnic groups and the state. These processes emerge where cultural differences intersect with longstanding territorial claims or unequal political power.
Understanding Ethnic Separatism
Ethnic separatism arises when a distinct ethnic group seeks increased autonomy or full independence because it feels politically marginalized, culturally suppressed, or economically disadvantaged within the state. These movements often draw upon shared histories, traditions, languages, and territorial identities, making claims deeply rooted in cultural geography.
Ethnic Separatism: The desire of an ethnic group to gain greater political autonomy or establish an independent state due to cultural, economic, or political differences.
Ethnic separatist movements vary in intensity, ranging from peaceful political campaigns to organized resistance. Many regions experiencing ethnic separatism display a strong connection between cultural identity and territory, which reinforces the group’s claim to self-rule.
Map of the ethnic groups in former Yugoslavia based on the 1991 census, showing clustered regional majorities that help explain why some communities demanded autonomy or independence. The map contains more detailed categories than required for AP Human Geography, so students should focus primarily on the spatial clustering of ethnic groups. Source.
Conditions Promoting Separatism
Cultural marginalization, where the state does not recognize or protect a group's language, religion, or traditions.
Uneven development, in which groups perceive economic neglect or exploitation of their resources.
Historical grievances, especially when borders were drawn without regard to cultural divisions.
Peripheral location, where geographic isolation allows unique cultures to persist and reduces integration with the central government.
These conditions encourage groups to question the legitimacy of state authority, creating pressure for political rearrangement.
Ethnic Cleansing as a Devolutionary Force
Ethnic cleansing is a violent practice used to forcibly remove an ethnic group from a territory in order to reshape the demographic and political landscape.
Ethnic Cleansing: The systematic and forced removal of an ethnic or religious group from a territory by a more powerful group to create a homogenous population.
Ethnic cleansing profoundly reshapes political geography because it redefines who occupies the land, alters demographic patterns, and creates lasting hostility that undermines state cohesion.
Ethnic map of Bosnia and Herzegovina showing postwar territorial divisions among major ethnic groups, illustrating how conflict and displacement produced long-term demographic segmentation. The map includes more detail than required by the AP syllabus, but students should focus on how ethnic cleansing can leave behind sharply divided regional majorities. Source.
Normal political processes break down when ethnic cleansing occurs, leading to refugee crises, contested borders, and weakened state institutions.
How Ethnic Conflict Drives Devolution
Ethnic conflict—whether expressed through separatist demands or the violence of ethnic cleansing—pushes states toward fragmentation by undermining the shared national identity necessary for unity. Geographic, political, and cultural factors interact to intensify conflict.
Pathways Through Which Ethnic Conflict Spurs Devolution
Territorial claims: Competing groups assert control over the same land, often tied to historical homelands.
Weakening of political legitimacy: As the central government is seen as biased or oppressive, separatist regions challenge its authority.
Militarization of identity: Groups may form militias or armed movements to defend their territory or pursue autonomy.
International intervention: Outside powers may support separatist groups or condemn ethnic cleansing, pressuring states to negotiate autonomy or allow secession.
Administrative fragmentation: States may be forced to grant regional autonomy, redraw internal boundaries, or accept partial territorial loss.
These pathways demonstrate how ethnic conflict transforms not only social relations but also the political map.
Geographic Dimensions of Ethnic Separatism and Cleansing
Political geography emphasizes the strong link between territory, identity, and power. Ethnic separatism tends to occur in regions where groups have a clear spatial concentration, making their territorial demands more feasible.
Spatial Patterns That Influence Devolution
Core-periphery divides, where dominant cultures occupy central areas while minority groups inhabit peripheral regions.
Mountainous or isolated terrain, which allows cultures to maintain distinct identities and resist state control.
Former imperial or colonial borders, which left groups divided or forced into shared political structures.
Ethnic cleansing also has a distinct spatial dimension: it seeks to artificially reshape territory to eliminate diversity, often leaving behind abandoned settlements, ruined infrastructure, and permanent shifts in population geography.
Outcomes for Political Boundaries and State Stability
Ethnic separatism and ethnic cleansing influence how boundaries evolve and how states maintain territorial integrity.
Effects on Political Landscapes
Demands for autonomy, such as the creation of self-governing regions.
Secessionist movements, where groups attempt to break away entirely.
Redrawing of boundaries, both internal and international, to reflect new power arrangements.
Increased vulnerability, as fragmented states face internal conflict and external pressures.
Long-term identity conflicts, which continue to shape political claims and territorial disputes.
These outcomes underscore the powerful role ethnic separatism and ethnic cleansing play in driving devolution by challenging the cohesion, authority, and territorial control of states.
FAQ
Ethnic separatism is rooted specifically in shared cultural traits such as language, ancestry, or religion that distinguish one group from the state’s dominant society. The motivation focuses on protecting ethnic identity through autonomy or independence.
Regionalism, by contrast, may arise from economic or administrative concerns without an ethnic component. Regional groups may demand more local control but do not necessarily seek separation based on cultural identity.
Outcomes depend on factors such as government tolerance, access to political participation, and historical experiences with repression.
Violence becomes more likely when:
States suppress cultural practices or political expression
Groups face discrimination or resource exploitation
Borders were imposed without regard to ethnic geography
In more democratic or decentralised states, negotiations and institutional pathways may allow separatist claims without violence.
Diaspora communities may finance movements, lobby foreign governments, or provide international visibility, helping sustain separatist goals.
Their involvement can reinforce ethnic identity across borders. In some cases, external rhetoric may intensify tensions by encouraging hardline positions within both separatist groups and states.
However, diasporas can also promote peacebuilding by supporting dialogue or humanitarian aid.
Ethnic cleansing often triggers large refugee flows, placing economic and social pressure on nearby states. These movements can destabilise border regions or strain public services.
Neighbouring states may also become involved due to cross-border ethnic ties, security concerns, or political alliances. This can escalate localised violence into regional conflict.
Additionally, shifts in population distribution may influence future border disputes or minority rights debates across the region.
Governments may deny ethnic cleansing to avoid international condemnation, sanctions, or legal responsibility for human rights violations.
Politically, acknowledging ethnic cleansing could delegitimise state actions, weaken national unity narratives, or challenge territorial claims.
States may also fear that admitting to ethnic cleansing strengthens separatist demands by validating grievances and attracting global support for autonomy or independence movements.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (1–3 marks)
Explain one way in which ethnic separatism can lead to political devolution within a state.
Mark Scheme – Question 1
Award up to 3 marks.
1 mark for identifying a valid link between ethnic separatism and devolution (e.g., a group seeks autonomy or independence).
1 mark for explaining how perceived cultural, political, or economic marginalisation motivates separatist demands.
1 mark for describing the outcome for the state, such as the creation of an autonomous region or weakening of central authority.
Question 2 (4–6 marks)
Using examples, analyse how ethnic cleansing can reshape political geography and contribute to long-term fragmentation within a state.
Mark Scheme – Question 2
Award up to 6 marks.
1 mark for defining or clearly describing ethnic cleansing as forced removal of an ethnic group.
1 mark for identifying how ethnic cleansing alters population distribution or territorial control.
1 mark for analysing how these demographic changes can undermine state cohesion or political unity.
1 mark for providing a relevant real-world example (e.g., Bosnia, Rwanda, Myanmar).
1 mark for explaining how the example demonstrates changes in political geography (e.g., creation of segregated regions, contested boundaries, or new power structures).
1 mark for linking these changes to long-term fragmentation, instability, or the possibility of redrawn political boundaries.
