Definition

1. Noun:
   • Advocacy of separation: The advocacy or practice of separation, especially the withdrawal of a group from a larger political, social, or religious entity to achieve greater independence or autonomy.
   • Policy of strict separation: Specifically, the advocacy of a policy of strict separation, such as between church and state.
   • Social system of separation: A social system or practice that provides separate facilities for different groups, often along ethnic, racial, or religious lines.

Usage and Examples

• General advocacy of separation:
  • The region's separatism grew from cultural and linguistic differences.
  • Political separatism often leads to calls for independence or secession.
• Religious or ideological separation:
  • His writings promoted a form of religious separatism.
  • The group's separatism was based on a desire for doctrinal purity.
• Social or institutional separation:
  • The old laws enforced a brutal separatism between racial groups.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Political Separatism: Refers specifically to movements seeking political independence for a region or group from a larger state.
  • Catalan separatism is a major issue in Spanish politics.
• Cultural Separatism: Involves a group seeking to maintain a distinct cultural identity separate from the mainstream, sometimes without seeking full political independence.
  • The community practiced a form of cultural separatism to preserve its language and traditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Separatist (noun/adjective): A person who advocates or practices separatism; relating to separatism.
  • The separatist leader gave a speech.
• Separate (verb/adjective): To divide or keep apart; not joined or connected.
• Separation (noun): The action or state of dividing or being divided.

Synonyms

• Secessionism: The principle or policy of seceding from an organization, union, or political entity.
• Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial, religious, or ethnic groups.
• Autonomism: Advocacy for a degree of self-governance or autonomy within a larger state.

Antonyms

• Integration: The process of combining or coordinating separate elements into a unified whole.
• Unionism: Support for the principle of union, especially political union.
• Centralism: The concentration of power and authority in a central organization.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Self-determination: The process by which a group of people form their own state and choose their own government, often associated with separatist movements.
• Ethnonationalism: A form of nationalism wherein the nation is defined in terms of ethnicity, which can fuel separatist sentiments.

Noun

1. advocacy of a policy of strict separation of church and state
2. a disposition toward schism and secession from a larger group; the principles and practices of separatists
   • separatism is a serious problem in Quebec
   • demands for some form of separatism on grounds of religion have been perceived as a threat to mainstream education
3. a social system that provides separate facilities for minority groups