This provocative and compelling book contends that the explosive growth of new political states is finally coming to an end. Examining the forces that determine the emergence of new nation-states, the distinguished contributors consider a rich array of specific cases from the Middle East, Asia, North America, Europe, and Russia where pressures for new states are intense. They argue that unbalanced globalization, the disadvantages of terrorism as a tactic, and the rewards of dependent status will strongly limit further state formation. Despite these limits, there has been no sign of successful military or imperial expansion by established countries toward consolidation into fewer, larger national units. Neither aggression by regional states_such as the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990, nor intervention_such as the U.S. occupation of Iraq in 2003, is likely to succeed. On balance, the book concludes, discontented national movements will have to find ways to exist within current geopolitical boundaries.

Richard N. Rosecrance is research professor of political science at the University of California, Los Angeles, and senior fellow in the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Arthur A. Stein is professor of political science at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a former member of the Policy Planning Council of the Department of State.

Chapter 1 Globalization and Its Effects: Introduction and Overview Part 1 Generalist Forces Chapter 2 The "Acceptance" of Globalization Part 2 Specific Outcomes Chapter 3 Will Terrorism Defeat Globalization? Part 3 Conclusions Chapter 4 Terrorism, Overreaction, and Globalization Chapter 5 Can China Be Effectively Punished through Global Economic Isolation? Chapter 6 Globalization, Terrorism, Self-Determination, and the U. S. Relationship with Russia Chapter 7 Globalization and the State in the Middle East: Iran, Turkey, Israel, and the Palestinians Chapter 8 The Failure of Chechen Separatism Chapter 9 The Status Quo in Kashmir? Chapter 10 Global Incentives and Local Responses to Self-determination: An Application to Aceh Chapter 11 Mired in Mesopotamia? The Iraq War and U.S. Interests Chapter 12 Sustainable Peace Agreements in the Age of International Institutions: The Case of Cyprus Chapter 13 The Never-Ending Story Quebec and the Question of National Self-Determination Chapter 14 The Dilemma of Devolution and Federalism: Secessionary Nationalism and the Case of Scotland Chapter 15 The Taiwan-China Tangle: Divided Sovereignty in an Age of Globalization Chapter 16 Who Will Be Independent?