New Publication: The Autonomous Province of South Tyrol: A Model of Self-Governance?


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Subject: New Publication: The Autonomous Province of South Tyrol: A Model of Self-Governance?

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New Publication: The Autonomous Province of South Tyrol: A
Model of Self-Governance? 



European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano

Melissa Magliana 

The Autonomous Province of South Tyrol: A Model of Self-Governance? 



Introductory Note 

Among the many issues addressed by the Department of Ethnic Minorities
and Regional Autonomies at the European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano, the
analysis and potential transferability of the "South Tyrolean Model" -
or certain aspects thereof- occupies a primary place. 

With the growing importance of European integration and the decreasing
significance of borders within Europe, the principles of separation
and homogeneity are becoming increasingly outdated. The concept of the
nation-state, therefore, is being challenged by the forces of
cross-border co-operation, freedom of movement and regional
integration. It suffices to look at the example of the Brenner border:
In 1919, it represented a strict line of division between the Austrian
and Italian states, a division which separated cultures, languages,
and peoples. Now however, since the entrance of Austria into the EU
and the Schengen Agreement, the border does little more than delineate
the territories. 

It is in this European context that South Tyrol not only stands out,
but can serve as a model for the benefits of integration and of the
successful cohabitation of several cultures and language groups. As a
European border region truly affected by the evolution of Europe, and
with minority questions of its own. South Tyrol has evolved
significantly over the last several decades, and a great deal can be
learned from it. 

The present study, presenting an analysis of the South Tyrolean
"model" from various angles and perspectives, represents an important
step towards understanding the factors and dynamics contributing to
its present success and its significance in a world in which the
concept of autonomy is ever more relevant. 

One can only hope that the lessons of integration and co-operation,
together with other successful elements to be found in the South
Tyrolean example of autonomy can serve to foster and promote other,
less fortunate regions. 

Ao.Univ.Prof. Dr. Joseph Marko 
Prof. Sergio Ortino 
Academic Directors 
Department "Ethnic Minorities and Regional Autonomies' European
Academy Bozen/Bolzano 
Bozen/Bolzano, March 2000 


Foreword 

Self-determination has been perhaps the most prevalent cause of crises
in recent inter-state and international relations. The American
President Woodrow Wilson, [the former president of Princeton
University] at the end of World War One as the leader of the
victorious power, attempted to introduce it into the global system
with the hope that in combination with democracy, self-determination
could contribute to just peace and eliminate the causes of war. The
fate of South Tyrol at the end of the K&K Austro-Hungarian Empire
stands as an example of the intricacies and challenges in the
application of that concept in Realpolitik, where issues such as
historical pre-justices, geo-strategic interests, and
linguistic-cultural dimensions, combined with major power interests
are of critical effect on the eventual outcome. 

This study of the case of the Province of Bolzano-Sudtirol is
remarkable in three dimensions: through the use of original documents
in English, German, and Italian, the author demonstrates the
particulars, the struggle, and the nonetheless fundamental bonne
volonte of all sides involved. The study has also succeeded in
elaborating an adapted form of self-governance, i.e. maximized
autonomy, parallel to regional integration, which can contribute to
the peaceful alteration of hard external boundaries, and hence offers
peace, stability, and prosperity to all concerned. Of this, the
Province serves as an exceptional example. Finally, this study
represents the readiness of a young author to take on successfully one
of the more critical matters in continental-European post-empirial
history. 

The excellence of both the execution of this case study as well as the
success of the case itself, i.e. South Tyrol, stand as a symbol for
the emerging leadership generation as such. While it is Melissa
Magliana who undertook the analysis of the success of the Alto
Adige/Sudtirol development and the related negotiations so
brilliantly, it is her peers living in that European region who can
transform the results of this process into a lasting and meaningful
example of self-governance, democracy, and prosperity. Both deserve
our confidence, laudation, and continuous support and encouragement. 

Prof. Wolfgang Danspeckgruber 
Liechtenstein Research Program on Self-Determination - Princeton
University 
Princeton, New Jersey, March 2000 


Index 

Introduction 

1. The Principle of Self-Determination and the South Tyrolean Example
1.1 The Origins and Meaning of the Principle of Self-Determination 
a) Self-Determination, Autonomy and Self-governance
b) History of Self-Determination
1.2 South Tyrol's Evolution along with the Principle of Self-
Determination 
a) A brief history of the take over
b) The Italian Interest in South Tyrol
c) The Paris Peace Conferences 1918-1919 
d) South Tyrol and the post WWII period
e) The Implementation of the Gruber-De Gasperi Agreement 
f) Austria as a Schutzmacht
1.3. Conclusions 

2. The Italian Province of South Tyrol 
2.1. The Regional Structure of the Italian State 
a) Origins and current structure
b) Current Regional Structure
b) The Special Region Trentino-Alto Adige/Sudtirol
2.2. The Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Sudtirol
a) Structure and Powers of the Province 
b) Financing the Autonomy 
c) Other distinguishing factors 
2.3. Regionalization in Italy
a) South Tyrol in the face of Italian regionalization 
2.4. Conclusions 

3. South Tyrolean Nationalism 
3.1 The History and Roots of the Tyrolean Struggle for Freedom.
a) South Tyrolean Nationalism
b) South Tyrol under Fascism
c) The Migration policies
d) The Option & the South Tyrolean response
e) Post-World War Two 
3.2. The Current Situation -A New South Tyrolean identity? 
a) Why these problems? 
b) South Tyrol between Rome and Vienna
3.3. Conclusions 

4. Geopolitical Situation 
4.1. The Importance of Geopolitics and Geography. 
a) Tourism
b) Agriculture 
c) Industry and Crafts 
4.2. Problems with this Success 
a) Immigration
4.3. Conclusions - A Look into the Future 

5. The Role of Europe
5.1 South Tyrol and European Integration 
a) A Brief History of the European Union
b) The Common Agricultural Policy 
c) Regional Policy 
d) Arbeitsgemeinschaft Alpenlander
5.2. Regionalization in Europe
5.3. A Euroregion Tyrol? 
5.4. Conclusions 

6. Self-Governance in South Tyrol: Why It Worked
6.1 The "Sonderfall" South Tyrol 
6.2 The "Model" South Tyrol 
a) The role of Austria
b) The Role of the UN 
c) The Role of Europe 
d) The negotiations  
e) The South Tyrolean structure 
6.3. Addressing concerns regarding the use of South Tyrol as a model 
6.4. The Inefficiencies 
6.5. Conclusions 

Conclusion

Bibliography

Appendices 


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