[Captrek]

I can’t think of any realistic scenario in which secession would be legitimate. It strikes at the very heart of democracy. “Let’s agree to settle disputes democratically, but only if my side wins the vote. If we lose the vote, we will repudiate this agreement and refuse to participate in the democratic process by which we agreed to settle our differences.” That’s not democracy. When you agree to participate in a democracy, you agree to abide by the outcome of the democratic process no matter whether the majority votes with you or against you.