We understand exceptionalism as the perception of a country being "exceptional", that is to say, extraordinary or unique. Nineteenth-century historiography of the time confused that feeling with the nationalism that in its own age triumphed as a vibrant emotion. Romanticism emphasized the significance of the existence of the alleged people's spirit that would no longer be associated with a dynasty, but with a territory, an ethnic group, a language, a religion, or traditions. From this perspective, they considered each nation as a unique and unrepeatable reality. This historical discourse survived until the last decade of the 20th century, when extreme and/or Marxist historiography propelled its criticisms. Nevertheless, Romantic exceptionalism and the alleged Universalism of its main critics answered to doctrinal criteria. Ideological speeches, either of Romantic origin or allegedly Universalist, appeared to be of a scientific nature that allowed to justify both the established order and those who questioned it and propelled a rebellious drive. When the greater part of one or multiple territories assume a critical discourse and that is alternative to the one dominant in its respective nation, then it is also almost impossible to control and can cause secession or union processes. Historically, these conflicts tend to confine themselves to violent processes that, using Tony Judt's expression, generate a great quantity of energy. Judt identified a Europe of the last decade of the 20th century as a "fissible" continent, understanding fission to be an "energy" that is generated by the fall of the soviet bloc, even though there also was a great "fusion", with the German reunification, and with the European Union construction process. Regarding the theories about secession, they have become a fundamental area of study of political philosophy, since it takes them to question the base of the authority of a nation. However, throughout history there have existed lots of secessionist movements that have affected a great part of humanity, especially in the contemporary age. As a matter of fact, in 1900, there were 46 nations in the world, and currently the United Nations Organization comprises 193 nations. Therefore, we can consider if this an exceptional way or if it is more common than generally assumed. However, there is also a tendency to Union specified in the international organizations' constitution. The way people -first the subjects ant then the citizens- have understood what it meant to be part of a particular political community has evolved historically. In addition, it is necessary to reformulate the concept of citizenship with the emergence of "independent" communities, such as the European Union. In short, we want to study the evolution of exceptionalist theories and its connection to movements, both separatists and unitarian, in the contemporary age. Studying the past times helps us understand the present times, without forgetting that history should not be used as a type of arsenal that different political options use to try to strengthen their arguments. In short, we want to investigate exceptionalist, separatist, and unitarian theories, from a historical and academic perspective. 

External team