The Breakup of Czechoslovakia

John Stanley is a policy advisor at the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and
Universities.

This brief work aims at providing a framework for separatism in Canada,
based on the experience of the former Czechoslovakia. While the
“science” in political science leaves many sceptical, this is a
useful analysis of contemporary events in Eastern Europe. The author
provides “rules” about the steps leading to peaceful separation;
however, as is the norm in political science, the rules are extremely
general and will not take readers far in their analysis.

The author knows neither Czech nor Slovak, so the materials cited are
exclusively English-language secondary works, such as Facts on File and
Keesing’s Record of World Events. Surprisingly, the works of Gordon
Skilling, the foremost Canadian scholar in the field, are not mentioned.
While the author packages the facts in a fluent and competent narrative,
it is far too soon for any perspective on the breakup of the
Czechoslovak federation. Any judgment on his “rules” will therefore
have to wait for validation.

Despite the purported audience of students of Canadian politics, I
suspect the author will find his readers among those interested in
Eastern European affairs, who are not likely to be confused by the
numerous unfamiliar names and plethora of dates. While this book does
not have much to stay about Canadian federalism, it will prove of use to
those watching the current transformation of Europe.