Territorial fragmentation

Balkanization

Nature

Under certain conditions territories are recognized as having the right to self-determination. This gives rise to accepted difficulties in the case of existing dependent areas, but raises more serious problems when the principle is considered equally applicable to component parts of existing independent countries in which the majority of people of those areas express the desire for self-determination. There is no recognized limit to the application of this principle.

The term "Balkanization", which has its roots in the situation in the Balkans around 1912, refers to a condition in which many small nations, filled with national pride and hatreds and jealousies and egged on by demagogues, take up arms against one another. In the resulting state of war, no territory is able to pursue a course of peaceful self-determination or development. Antagonisms increase, causing further fragmentation.

Incidence

Territorial fragmentation is a significant issue affecting numerous countries worldwide, particularly in regions with complex political histories or ethnic diversity. For instance, in 2020, the World Bank reported that over 40% of the world's population lives in fragmented territories, where administrative boundaries do not align with social or economic realities. This fragmentation can lead to inefficiencies in governance, resource allocation, and service delivery, exacerbating inequalities and hindering development efforts.
A concrete example of territorial fragmentation occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 2018 elections. The DRC's administrative divisions, which include 26 provinces, often do not correspond to the cultural and ethnic identities of the population, leading to tensions and conflicts. The fragmentation of authority and resources among these provinces complicated the electoral process, resulting in widespread allegations of irregularities and disenfranchisement in various regions.

Claim

Cultural self-determination without a political framework is an issue in many countries now. Spain has the Basques and Catalans; Britain has Northern Ireland; Canada the Quebecôis; Belgium has the Flemings; Israel the Arabs, and so on. No country is safe from fragmentation; no country can assume that its enemies are all outside its borders.

Counter-claim

The dangers of fragmentation should not be exaggerated. Often measures of decentralization and local autonomy satisfy the small groups involved. Furthermore, it is important to distinguish between self-determination of small entities already in existence and self-determination of sub-units which do not yet have any recognized status. Unlike the latter, the former do not have to prove that they have the right to self-determination.