South Tyrol and the Question of Statehood in Europe: 40 answers for an Independent Future

South Tyrol and the Question of Statehood in Europe examines autonomy and the democratic right to self-determination in Europe from addressing political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of statehood. It is structured into thematic sections, including international relationships, finance and economy, health and social affairs, education, culture, environment, justice, security, and public administration.

The publication is draws on historical precedents, international law, and examples from other regions that have engaged with self-determination processes in Europe, such as Scotland, Catalonia, and Kosovo.

It provides valuable insights into the legal, economic, and social implications of statehood, making it a useful resource for policymakers, researchers, and citizens interested in self-determination and regional autonomy in a multi level context. 

The authors have in common the desire to present the advantages of independence, but also to point out its challenges. Borders and states are being overridden, merging together into ever larger communities in order to ensure peace.

In this context, citizens often have the feeling that they have very limited opportunities to shape events. This underline the necessity to create spaces where politics can be seen to function: such spaces can be regions or small states in which citizens can participate and to which they can contribute.

Many of today’s borders in Europe, remain the result of historical conflicts. This publication looks at one of the key cases in Europe to set the basis of a participatory process to debate formulas that could re-define them in a democratic peaceful way giving the citizens the voice and providing arguments to rethink devolution, autonomy and self government.

. . .

This publication is a joint initiative of Noiland and Coppieters Foundation.

. . .

This publication is financially supported by the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not liable for the content of the publication or the opinions of the authors.

. . .

Cover photo by Noiland / Nicola di Tella

. . .

Thank you for following our activities over the past few years. We hope our updates have been useful to you. We would like to keep informing you about upcoming events, new publications, summer schools, and job vacancies. Subscribe to our newsletter to hear from us in your inbox.