11.5.4

Tensions within Nations

Test yourself

Nationalist Movements in Europe

Globalisation, migration and westernisation can create disunity and conflict within nations. Strong nationalist movements have emerged in many European countries.

Illustrative background for UKIPIllustrative background for UKIP ?? "content

UKIP

  • UKIP won 12.7% of the vote in the 2015 General Election, campaigning for a departure from the European Union.
Illustrative background for Scottish independenceIllustrative background for Scottish independence ?? "content

Scottish independence

  • The Scottish campaign for independence culminated in a referendum in 2014 saw 44.7% of the Scottish electorate voting to separate from the UK.
  • Again Scotland wanted to stay in the EU.
Illustrative background for Catalonian independenceIllustrative background for Catalonian independence ?? "content

Catalonian independence

  • Strong nationalist movements have arisen, seeking to establish independent, smaller states – separatism (a desire to have autonomy within, or independence from, a country).
  • Catalonia is a prosperous area of Spain that contains Barcelona. They speak Catalonian, instead of Castilian Spanish like the rest of the country.
  • However, this is not necessarily a new phenomenon. The Basque Country in Spain, where they speak Basque, campaigned for independence for years, with the terrorist group ETA supporting this campaign for independence.
  • However, Catalonia, although they are separatist, still wish to remain in the EU.
Illustrative background for KosovoIllustrative background for Kosovo ?? "content

Kosovo

  • Kosovo is a partly recognised state that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. UN peacekeeping troops are in Kosovo and it is a candidate with the potential to join the EU.

Tensions in BRIC Countries

There are nationalist tensions and disunity in many BRIC nations:

Illustrative background for BrazilIllustrative background for Brazil ?? "content

Brazil

  • Indigenous tribes living in the Amazon are under threat from land grabbing and deforestation in the region.
  • The corrupt leadership of Dilma Rousseff led to disquiet and Michel Temer, the previous leader, is also tainted with reports of corruption.
  • Much of the population is very poor, but Brazil spent $15bn on the 2014 Football World Cup and $5bn on the 2016 Olympics.
    • The return on these kind of sporting events is uncertain. Andrew Zimbalist's research suggests these events are not value for money.
Illustrative background for RussiaIllustrative background for Russia ?? "content

Russia

  • Russia is the largest country on Earth.
  • There are several 'nations' within Russia, from nomadic reindeer hunters in the very north of Russia to Chechnya.
  • Chechnya in the south of Russia is seeking autonomy. There have been disputes since the breakup of the USSR in 1991. In 2004, 334 people died in the Beslan School siege involving some Chechan militants.
Illustrative background for IndiaIllustrative background for India ?? "content

India

  • The Kashmir region in the northwest of India is a disputed territory, where both India and Pakistan claim ownership. 60% of the population in Kashmir are Muslim, making it the only majority-Muslim region in India.
  • There is a caste system in India, where the colour of someone's skin and their position in the caste system determines their opportunities and treatment.
Illustrative background for ChinaIllustrative background for China ?? "content

China

  • There are separatist groups in Tibet and in the west of China, where the Uyghur ethnic group live.
  • Internally in China, there has been a lot of rural-to-urban migration. The hukou system is a government registration system of households. This means that migrants don't have full rights when they move into urban areas.

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

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