Why are regional nationalisms threatening the old nations? Stateless Nations explores why Scotland may demand independence, changing the makeup of the United Kingdom to the 1603 Union of Crowns. Wales too wants more autonomy. Catalonia emphasizes its distinctive language and institutions against opposition from centralists in Madrid but does not want separation from Spainches Basque terrorism is waning, but Basque nationalism remains powerful. Nationalism in Flanders has brought Belgium to the verge of breakup; a country once centralized, then federal is now merely confederal. France is the great exception, where centralist ideology and practice have greatly inhibited regional nationalism. This book looks at the historical roots of modern regional nationalism, examining the roles of language, religion, and institutions as 'carriers of identity' over long periods of time, then focuses on the situations of today.