Between Asymmetry and Secession: Territorial Issues in Europe

Territory and constitutional order lie at the heart of some of the most pressing challenges facing Europe today. Shaped by historical legacies, diverse identities and the ongoing process of European integration, territorial governance continues to test the resilience of constitutional systems.
This volume explores these dynamics through a comparative constitutional perspective, combining theoretical insights with a rich set of case studies. It originates from the Sapienza University Research Project "Territory, Borders and Institutions: Between Secession and Centrifugal Dynamics", initiated by Professor Beniamino Caravita, whose vision has inspired the research underlying this work.
At its core, the book examines the tension between territorial asymmetries and secession. Mechanisms such as regionalism, differentiated autonomy and federalism can accommodate diversity within a single constitutional framework, as seen in countries like Spain, Italy and Belgium. Yet these same arrangements may also generate political tensions and perceptions of inequality. Secessionist movements represent a more radical challenge, raising fundamental questions about the balance between self-determination and territorial integrity, as illustrated by developments in Scotland, Catalonia and Flanders.
Bringing together theoretical analysis and comparative case studies from across Europe, the volume highlights how territorial claims shape constitutional change at both national and supranational levels.
A timely and insightful contribution, this book offers essential perspectives for understanding the evolving landscape of territorial governance in Europe. This is an open access book.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3032296021
• ISBN13: 9783032296023
• Release Date: October 2026
• Publisher: Springer