Secession rarely succeeds.
The realities are cruel. Secessionists are romantic, poorly armed and led. Central governments are realistic, well-armed, and uninterested in losing parts of their geography, resources, population, and so on.
Protesters congratulate Spanish policeman after a demonstration called by Societat Civil Catalana (Catalan Civil Society) to support the unity of Spain on Oct. 8 in Barcelona. LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images
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