Bulletin n. 3/2015 | ||
January 2016 | ||
Matteo Nicolini |
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Regional Demarcation, Territorial Alteration, and Accommodation of Divided Societies | ||
in Revista de derecho politico , no. 94 , 2015 , 53-84 | ||
This article examines the accommodation of divided societies through constituent units, and concentrates on “legal geography” as a principle of organization in multi- or bi-ethnic federal states. It then considers the key concepts related thereto: regional demarcation and territorial alteration. Comparative legal studies show that divided societies can be governed through territorial demarcation and alteration. However, ethnic-based demarcation is currently under strain. Indeed, economic factors reduce the relevance of ethnic, linguistic and religious factors. The intersection of traditional and socioeconomic factors represents a challenge to ethnic-construed territorial identity, and implies a reassessment of the criteria presiding over political demarcation. | ||