Territoriality, Asymmetry, and Autonomy

Minority special status arrangements figure prominently in efforts to articulate universality with territorialized difference in many parts of the world. Yet much of what has been written about this important modality of the asymmetrical state has focused exclusively on the liberal democratic West. This book extends the analysis. It offers a structured-focused comparison of the experience of the People s Republic of China, France, and Spain. Case studies on central Tibet, Hong Kong, Corsica, and Catalonia are used to identify the conditions that affect the degree to which special status arrangements enhance stability while improving the citizenship of both minority territorial communities and their more vulnerable residents.

"This excellent book discusses minority issues by taking up four case studies: Catalonia (Spain), Corsica (France), central Tibet (China), and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China). The juxtaposition of these four, with their democratic and authoritarian political backgrounds, allows the development of theory on ethnic minorities and the raising of some really important issues. Examples include: how much does a democratic polity contribute to the resolution of ethnic tensions; and what affects the degree of autonomy that states allow ethnic minorities? The four cases chosen are all controversial but, coming from such different cultures as China and Western Europe, they are very enlightening and in a way that can only lead on to more comparative research. As one familiar with the issues in China, I was struck by how balanced, fair, and perceptive the treatments are. The book is also well written and holds the reader s interest. The book adds beautifully to the literature on ethnicity not only on the theoretical plain, but also through beautifully crafted and illuminating case studies." - Colin Mackerras, Emeritus Professor, Griffith Business School, and author of Ethnicities in Asia or China s Ethnic Minorities and Globalization

SUSAN J. HENDERS teaches political science at York University, in Toronto, Canada, where she is director of the York Centre for Asian Research.