Enclaves and exclaves

Nature

Enclaves and exclaves are discontiguous territories of states which are located within the territory of other states. In the case of islands they may exist within the territorial waters of another state. They are a particular form of disrupting influence on territorial integrity. As such they may be a source of military insecurity, and administrative and communication problems.

Background

When a nation refers to an extra-territorial possession which is encapsulated in another state, it refers to its exclave. The term enclave is also used for a culturally distinct area enclosed by its host country, where another language is frequently spoken, for example the Russian enclave in Shanghai after the revolution.

Incidence

The number of enclaves has declined considerably since 1900. About 15 remain in Europe. Some remain in Africa and Asia, but most have been eliminated with the independence of the countries in those areas. New enclaves have been created as a result of armistice agreements (for example, West Berlin). Other well-known enclaves are Gibraltar and Hong Kong (to 1997).

Claim

Enclaves and exclaves are a deeply troubling geopolitical problem that cannot be ignored. These fragmented territories fuel border disputes, disrupt communities, and create logistical nightmares for governance and daily life. They often trap residents in legal limbo, denying them basic rights and services. The continued existence of enclaves and exclaves is a glaring failure of international diplomacy, and urgent action is needed to resolve these artificial divisions for the sake of peace and human dignity.

Counter-claim

Enclaves and exclaves are an overblown curiosity, not a pressing global issue. In a world facing climate change, poverty, and conflict, obsessing over quirky border anomalies is a distraction. These territorial oddities rarely impact daily life or international stability. Let’s focus our attention and resources on real problems, not on drawing lines on maps that have little to no bearing on the well-being of nations or their people.