PFM Articles 
Mobility, Secession and Discrimination
MATTHIAS WREDE
PFM, Vol. 4 No. 4,
(2004)
On the one hand, the right of independent secession protects single states from
exploitation by the majority of states or by the entire union. On the other hand, it
enables majorities in these states to discriminate after secession against ethnic,
religious and political minorities which are better protected in the union as a whole.
Therefore, the right of secession is a group right which possibly limits individual
rights. Even if the individual right of emigration is guaranteed independently of
membership, the right to secede from the union may limit the economic success of an
economic and political union provided that it frightens minorities and, therefore,
reduces mobility, country specific investment and productivity.
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