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"My Own Private Idaho":A Survey of Separatist Attitudes in the Pacific Northwest
Title / Series / Name
PS: Political Science & Politics
Publication Volume
Publication Issue
Pages
Editors
Keywords
Sociology and Political Science
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14018/27781
Abstract
In the past five years, 13 counties in Eastern Oregon have voted in nonbinding referendums to separate from the liberal state of Oregon to join the conservative state of Idaho. Drawing on theories of secessionism and irredentism, this article examines the drivers of the so-called Greater Idaho movement by administering a survey in these separatist counties. Our findings indicate that economic discontent and a strong regional identity are more important than fears or partisanship in determining support for moving the interstate border. Our study suggests that more inclusive governance may help to overcome ideological polarization in this case and offers insights into how political divisions may be managed to prevent separatist violence in the United States more generally. We conclude that political minorities need to believe that they have a voice in the system so that they do not mobilize for exit.
Topic
Publisher
Place of Publication
Type
Journal article
Date
2025-05-28
Language
ISBN
Identifiers
10.1017/S1049096525000290