(soft music)
- [Voiceover] For centuries the region of Catalonia
has desired to become independent from Spain.
To this day, the issue of Catalonian independence
remains a fiercely debated issue
in Spanish politics.
As we mention in our video about 10 countries
that may not survive the next 20 years,
Catalonians even created a human chain
around their country to show their clear desire
for independence.
With Spain's economy in shambles,
it's no wonder calls for Catalonian independence
have grown stronger over the years.
Current polls in Catalonia are nearly unanimous
in predicting that about 50 to 60 percent
of Catalonian voters would approve independence
during any referendum.
And within the last 15 years,
support for Catalonian independence
has gone from 30 percent support to 55 percent support
in some polls.
This change shows that the independence movement
in Catalonia is rapidly gaining momentum.
The Spanish government continues to insist
that all Catalonian independence referendums
are illegal.
As to whether an independent Catalonia could survive,
Spain itself is more reliant on Catalonia
then Catalonia is reliant on Spain.
This is because the Spanish government
takes more from Catalonia then it gives.
Spending only 57 cents in the region
for every dollar of tax it's collected there.
On top of this, Catalonia accounts
for a quarter of Spain's total net exports.
Until these issues are definitively solved,
it is very possible that the next 20 years
could see the creation of a free Catalonian state.
The island nation of New Caledonia
is scheduled to hold a referendum
on the issue of its independence from France
by the year 2018.
And for the most part,
France seems unwilling to actively oppose this move.
As they even agreed to the 1998 Noumea Accords,
which gave New Caledonia greater autonomy.
As the referendum date approaches,
the citizens of New Caledonia
have already taken symbolic moves
to show their desire for independence from France.
New Caledonia has already designed its own flag,
as well as created a New Caledonian national anthem.
However, despite the clear popular support
for the creation of an independent New Caledonia,
the island is also unfortunately a victim
of what political scientists call the resource curse.
France has expressed uncertainty
about allowing New Caledonia to become
truly independent.
Because the island contains over 25 percent
of the world's known nickel reserves.
So far though, France has not taken
any definitive action.
And it is likely that once the referendum
takes place, New Caledonia will join the ranks
of the world's youngest nations.
In the future the likelihood
of a united Korean peninsula
is becoming more and more likely.
Although there are harsh political
and economic contrast between
North and South Korea,
both countries still hail from the same culture.
The reality is is that Korea's a peninsula
with one people and two governments.
Not unlike East and West Germany,
the Korean peninsula remains bitterly
divided by a demilitarized zone
between North and South Korea.
In all likelihood, North Korea
will not survive another 20 years.
And at that point, both countries
will need to fall back on their contingency plans
for a united Korean peninsula.
A unified Korea certainly would be
a force to be reckoned with.
This is because a unified Korea
would be able to call upon
both the former North Korean army,
which is currently the fourth largest army
in the entire world.
As well as the strong South Korean economy,
which is home to some of the world's
most advanced industries.
While this dramatic politic change
doesn't seem imminent,
the future may just soon
bring us a unified Korea.
While the highly publicized
2014 Scottish independence referendum failed,
many in the Scottish National Party
are still set on calling for another referendum
that may very well succeed in the coming years.
Scotland has a very strong independence movement.
And the Scottish National Party remains popular in Scotland.
The only real barrier is the timing
on another referendum on Scotland's independence,
which some have suggested might happen
as soon as 2017.
Either way it's clear that the Scottish
won't give up on their quest for independence
so easily.
The issue of Quebec's independence
is an issue that simply won't go away.
For the most part, Quebec has very little in common
with the rest of Canada.
In fact, Quebec still holds onto its French language
and heritage.
While referendums for Quebec's independence
were voted down in 1980 and 1995,
it's clear that the desire for independence of Quebec
is still strong to this day.
In fact, the 1995 referendum granted Quebec
a great deal of autonomy over its internal affairs.
Over issues such as immigration, healthcare,
language policies, and education.
But while independence for Quebec
has remained elusive in recent years,
the imminent independence
of Catalonia and Scotland
has only reignited the smoldering debate in Canada.
The numbers of those in support
of independence for Quebec
have gone up from just under 40 percent
in the 1980 referendum,
to 49.43 percent in 1995.
These poll results make it clear
that the movement for Quebec's independence
is only gaining momentum.
The future may still hold an independent Quebec.
In the past, the relatively unknown island
of Bougainville has declared its independence
from Papua New Guinea, not once but twice
in both 1975 and in 1990.
However, both attempts were violently suppressed
by the forces of Papua New Guinea,
which is the country that legally controls
the island of Bougainville.
After a peace agreement was signed in 2000,
it was declared that Bougainville is expected
to hold some sort of independence referendum
between 2015 and 2020.
This bilateral deal also gave Bougainville
increased autonomy from Papua New Guinea.
While in the past the struggle
for the independence of Bougainville
was quite violent and met with little success,
it is very likely a referendum will create the peaceful path
towards independence that many in Bougainville
have been waiting for.
Also known as Venice, this region of Italy
that is home to over five million people
has in recent years, taken steps towards independence.
A referendum on the issue of Venetian independence
from Italy was suppose to occur sometime between
2013 and 2014.
But according to the referendum's proponents,
the effort was unexpectedly dropped.
About 56 percent of Venetians
are in support of independence from Italy,
according to a January 2013 poll.
As Italy's economic condition worsens,
desire for a Venetian independence
will only grow stronger.
Until the Venetian's grievances with Italy
are addressed, the looming threat of Venice
breaking away from Italy will remain
a very real possibility.
After the Somalian civil war of 1991,
Somalia's central government collapsed,
and various factions and warlords
all fought for power in the ashes.
Somaliland however defies this image.
Located in between Ethiopia and the Gulf of Aden,
Somaliland takes the expected secessionist paradigm
and flips it on its head.
This is because Somaliland is relatively stable,
and a moderate democracy that is looking
for independence from a country synonymous
with failed governance and anarchy.
Since Somaliland declared its independence in 1991,
no other countries have recognized this nation
of 3.5 million people.
But this may yet change.
The situation inside of Somalia
has been slowly improving in the recent years.
Meaning a formal diplomatic solution
to the Somalian civil war could be just around the corner.
It's likely when Somalia finally picks itself
up from the dirt, the republic of Somaliland
will be in an excellent position
to secure its independence.
Unlike the other nations on this list,
the British territory of Anguilla
is likely to become an independent nation
with a whisper rather than a roar.
In fact, when Anguilla finally does become independent
it's likely that most people won't even notice its creation.
As most people can't even find Anguilla on a map.
Regardless, Anguillan independence
is becoming a very real possibility.
The former prime minister of Anguilla,
along with many other government officials
have openly voiced their support
of total independence from the United Kingdom.
Anguilla has also recently gained
the right of self governance.
The current administration of Anguilla
has also stated that they are tentatively
in favor of independence,
but observers still note that we don't know
what the future will hold for Anguilla.
When Anguillian independence is finally achieved,
it will likely come without much warning.
Kurdistan is a region of the Middle East
that is home to the Kurdish people,
which is one of the largest ethnic groups
in the world that does not have their own country.
Throughout their history, the Kurds have been repressed
by the various states and empires
that have carved up the Middle East.
Today however, it is likely that the conclusion
of the Syrian civil war will see the creation
of an independent Kurdistan.
This has become apparent due to the fact
that Kurdish fighters and militias
have already achieved de facto control
over large portions of Iraq and Syria.
It would take very little for these regions
to band together and unilaterally declare
their independence.
What remains to be seen
is whether or not the Kurds can also
retake their ancestral lands inside of Iran and Turkey,
as these areas are key components
of any future Kurdish nation.
In 2014, an independence referendum
for the Kurds in Iraq and in Syria was planned.
But the rise of the Islamic state
put these plans on hold.
It is likely that after the conclusion
of the Syrian civil war,
this referendum will officially declare
the creation of a Kurdish state.
It is also likely that the remnants
of the shattered Syrian and Iraqi governments
will be to weak to serious oppose
the creation of Kurdistan.
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