What are arguments for and against secession?

Answer 1

Breaking any union intended to be a permanent commitment would not be something to be taken lightly, or something to be done because of only a few issues where all parties don't see eye to eye. Or because one party may get benefits for now, as things have a tenedency to balance over time. If by secedeing one means becoming independent, that would entail a number of things that probably can't be achieved under any cirumstances. And, if it were to be done fairly, wouldn't it need to consider compensating the States remaining in the union for any benefits the others had received or took with them? Certainly, the seceders must take on lots of obligations that were entered into on their behalf when they were a part of the union. All things probably financially, socially and logistically virtually impossible. Also, I'm not sure that the right to secede doesn't exist. But, that doesn't mean others would have to accept it. That is key, because while seceding or declaring independence is one thing, being considered so by others is really what establishes it. In fact, for about as long as there have been rules governing inter-governmental relations, being acknowledged as the government of a country is what actually establishes one as such. For example: the seceding Confederate states of the US were never acknowleged by any government anywhere else. An important reason for their failure. France, Spain and even England (which the US had recent wars with and by no means was particuarly supportive), the real players if you will, refused to acknolwge the Confederacy, (meaning things like they wouldn't accept their crrancy, etc.). That was true even though the confederacy did many things, especially concerning trade of cotton which these countries desperately needed, to encourage them to do so. On the other hand, Isreal was recognized by several countries, the US very importantly, within hours of declaring it's independence. That is really what established its government as an entity.