Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Is America heading towards secession? In this video, Professor Ryan Griffiths joins me in a discussion that considers whether or not deep political polarisation could lead to the eventual break-up of the United States. Drawing on the arguments from his book, "The Disunited States: Threats of Secession in Red and Blue America and Why They Won't Work", we examine the history of secession in the US, from the American Revolution and Civil War to modern independence movements in Texas, California, Hawaii and elsewhere. We also explore the constitutional and legal barriers to secession, including the significance of the Supreme Court's Texas v. White ruling, and compare the American experience with cases such as Scotland, Catalonia, Quebec and the former Yugoslavia.
From there, we analyse the forces driving today's red-versus-blue divide in the US, why calls for a "national divorce" have become more prominent, and whether secession is a realistic solution to America's political crisis. We weigh up the practical, legal and political obstacles facing any attempt to leave the Union, why successful independence movements usually emerge under very different circumstances, and whether constitutional reform offers a more viable alternative to secession. Ultimately, the discussion mulls the future of the United States, drawing on the insights of one of the world's leading scholars of secession.
Professor Ryan Griffiths is a professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, United States. His work focuses on the dynamics of secession and the study of sovereignty, state systems, and international order. He teaches a variety of courses in international relations. His recent books include: 'The Disunited States: Threats of Secession in Red and Blue America and Why They Won't Work' (Oxford University Press, 2025); and 'Before Colonization: Non-Western States and Systems in the Nineteenth Century' (Columbia University Press, 2025, with Charles Butcher). He previously taught at both the University of Sydney in Australia and at Johns Hopkins University. He earned a PhD in international relations and comparative politics at Columbia University in 2010.
The Disunited States: Threats of Secession in Red and
Blue America and Why They Won't Work
Amazon: amzn.to/4pVb6qA
Oxford University Press: academic.oup.com/book/60655
*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:46 What Inspired ’The Disunited States’?
02:41 A Brief History Of US Secessionist Movements
07:11 Comparing Secessionist Efforts in Texas, California & Hawaii
11:35 Is Secessionism Strong Among Native American Groups?
13:17 How the Civil War Still Shapes US Secessionism
21:28 Which Factors Grow Secessionist Movements?
28:00 How Divided Are the ‘Red’ & ‘Blue’ States Really?
33:59 How Far Does Politics Drive US Secessionism?
42:50 Could the US Ever Talk to its Secessionists?
*ABOUT THIS CHANNEL*
Thoughtful analysis of international relations, conflict, security and diplomacy, with weekly explainers, expert interviews, livestreams and viewer Q&As.
*SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS*
If you enjoy the channel and would like to support independent analysis of international relations, conflict, and security, there are several ways you can help:
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
youtube.com/channel/UCEszqJb1FjYisBevHBIof3g
youtube.com/c/JamesKerLindsay?sub_confirmation=1
JOIN THE COMMUNITY AND BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER
YouTube: youtube.com/c/JamesKerLindsay/join
Patreon: patreon.com/JamesKerLindsay
*MY LATEST BOOK!*
Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know
Oxford University Press global.oup.com/academic/product/secession-and-state-creation-9780190494049
Amazon amzn.to/2MPY3W2
Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel at no additional cost to you.
#UnitedStates #Secession #Texas #California
MORE ANALYSIS AND EXCLUSIVE MATERIAL
James Ker-Lindsay | Insights
youtube.com/c/JKLInsights?sub_confirmation=1
Is America heading towards secession? In this video, Professor Ryan Griffiths joins me in a discussion that considers whether or not deep political polarisation could lead to the eventual break-up of the United States. Drawing on the arguments from his book, "The Disunited States: Threats of Secession in Red and Blue America and Why They Won't Work", we examine the history of secession in the US, from the American Revolution and Civil War to modern independence movements in Texas, California, Hawaii and elsewhere. We also explore the constitutional and legal barriers to secession, including the significance of the Supreme Court's Texas v. White ruling, and compare the American experience with cases such as Scotland, Catalonia, Quebec and the former Yugoslavia.
From there, we analyse the forces driving today's red-versus-blue divide in the US, why calls for a "national divorce" have become more prominent, and whether secession is a realistic solution to America's political crisis. We weigh up the practical, legal and political obstacles facing any attempt to leave the Union, why successful independence movements usually emerge under very different circumstances, and whether constitutional reform offers a more viable alternative to secession. Ultimately, the discussion mulls the future of the United States, drawing on the insights of one of the world's leading scholars of secession.
Professor Ryan Griffiths is a professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, United States. His work focuses on the dynamics of secession and the study of sovereignty, state systems, and international order. He teaches a variety of courses in international relations. His recent books include: 'The Disunited States: Threats of Secession in Red and Blue America and Why They Won't Work' (Oxford University Press, 2025); and 'Before Colonization: Non-Western States and Systems in the Nineteenth Century' (Columbia University Press, 2025, with Charles Butcher). He previously taught at both the University of Sydney in Australia and at Johns Hopkins University. He earned a PhD in international relations and comparative politics at Columbia University in 2010.
The Disunited States: Threats of Secession in Red and
Blue America and Why They Won't Work
Amazon: amzn.to/4pVb6qA
Oxford University Press: academic.oup.com/book/60655
*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:46 What Inspired ’The Disunited States’?
02:41 A Brief History Of US Secessionist Movements
07:11 Comparing Secessionist Efforts in Texas, California & Hawaii
11:35 Is Secessionism Strong Among Native American Groups?
13:17 How the Civil War Still Shapes US Secessionism
21:28 Which Factors Grow Secessionist Movements?
28:00 How Divided Are the ‘Red’ & ‘Blue’ States Really?
33:59 How Far Does Politics Drive US Secessionism?
42:50 Could the US Ever Talk to its Secessionists?
*ABOUT THIS CHANNEL*
Thoughtful analysis of international relations, conflict, security and diplomacy, with weekly explainers, expert interviews, livestreams and viewer Q&As.
*SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS*
If you enjoy the channel and would like to support independent analysis of international relations, conflict, and security, there are several ways you can help:
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
youtube.com/channel/UCEszqJb1FjYisBevHBIof3g
youtube.com/c/JamesKerLindsay?sub_confirmation=1
JOIN THE COMMUNITY AND BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER
YouTube: youtube.com/c/JamesKerLindsay/join
Patreon: patreon.com/JamesKerLindsay
*MY LATEST BOOK!*
Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know
Oxford University Press global.oup.com/academic/product/secession-and-state-creation-9780190494049
Amazon amzn.to/2MPY3W2
Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel at no additional cost to you.
#UnitedStates #Secession #Texas #California
MORE ANALYSIS AND EXCLUSIVE MATERIAL
James Ker-Lindsay | Insights
youtube.com/c/JKLInsights?sub_confirmation=1
