Throughout the world there is an upsurge of regional, sub- national' movements whose demands range from greater autonomy' to complete independence. Many analysts have commented on the apparent paradox of increasing global integration of economies and the increasing fragmentation of nation-states.
A deeper look at the internal dynamics of regional conflicts and external imperial strategies unravels the paradox' by revealing the inter-relationships between competing empire building strategies and national fragmentation and regional conflicts.
Several points of reference highlight the underlying dynamic of regional and global politics.