Partitions: categories and destinies

The chapter analyzes state partition as a political phenomenon, which has inceasingly occurred in modern times, following new patters as long as a specific form of state has been established in Europe and spread worldwide as a lever for modernity, either through the communist experience or the process of decolonization, via colonization. In this framework the author considers different interpretative categories from dividing without partitions to the applied forms of partitions, the fragility of the terminology and the sources of attractiveness of partitions. Furthermore, the chapter deals with the relations between partitions and democracy, the role of sovereignty and the changes that are transforming the nation states in networking societies. In his conclusions, the author advocates a recasting of statehood as a great challenge, particularly for Europe.