Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Today's Quote

I think chidi's point, in raising this comparison, is very interesting.

My own biases are anti-nationalist, anti-statist. That doesn't really matter, no point in trying to argue this now. The question here, however, is on the sanctity of the nation, as if it were some knd of natural, and therefore godgiven entity. It isn't, it is a human construct, and in almost all cases in the world today, a very recent creation, most nations, as nation-states, not as empires or kingdoms, going back to the 19^th century, and in fact the late 19^th century.

Created by power politics, its borders set through force and wars. Where has this not been the case? Anywhere?

So why should Kurdistan not really exist, given the promises of the allies after world war I, which were violated thanks to the obeisance to arab and therefore oil interests. Thanks England, you got the oil; thanks U.S., you got the oil; you got Iranian, Saudi, middle eastern oil. Kurds got nothing.

Lied to, easily meriting statehood as much as others in the region who allied with the "democratic" states, got screwed.

 

How about catalonia? Europe wants to think of its states, now emperiled as autonomous nation states, to be stable, and ultimately to sustain the e.u. but why should spain, and not spain-catalonia, be part of Europe? Ultimately, what is the fairest way to decide these issues? Why are the falklands not argentina? Why is California part of the u.s., not mexico? Why should any geographic entity be bound to its state?

Every instance of regional autonomy has to be different. So let's be clear, Biafra doesn't equal Kurdistan or catalonia.

Ken

 

 

Kenneth Harrow

Dept of English and Film Studies

Michigan State University

619 Red Cedar Rd

East Lansing, MI 48824

517-803-8839

harrow@msu.edu

http://www.english.msu.edu/people/faculty/kenneth-harrow/

 

From: usaafricadialogue <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Okechukwu Ukaga PhD <ukaga001@umn.edu>
Reply-To: usaafricadialogue <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Date: Tuesday, 26 September 2017 at 07:51
To: usaafricadialogue <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Today's Quote

 

At least 2 points. First, to determine and show with real data where the people stand. Second, to empower regional leaders in any negotiations with central government (and other stakeholders). 

 

 

On Sep 26, 2017 4:31 AM, "Chidi Anthony Opara" <chidi.opara@gmail.com> wrote:

If the Kurdish and Catalonia secession referenda are not "binding", then, what is the point?

 

CAO.

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