Quebec's Lesson: A Path of Peaceful Separatism‪.‬

Abstract: The recent tragedy in Kosovo of a minority's struggle for self-determination has unfortunately been representative of the violent ethnic conflict that prevails across continents. Groups with different religions, languages, or ancestry from their neighbors fight the perceived tyranny of existing borders to win recognition, liberty, and political autonomy. However, one ethnic sub-region, Canada's Province du Quebec, stands out as a place where leaders of an independence movement have relied on legal, codified avenues to win their ends. The case of Quebec may be seen, paradoxically, as a triumph for institutionalism. It is also an important lesson in nonviolent conflict resolution.