Political exile is the practice of an individual or group being forced to relocate from their homeland due to oppressive regimes. This societal phenomenon has been used to silence dissent and control power, and has had profound implications for contemporary debates over authority and liberty. By examining historical examples of political exile, such as that of John Milton, this article explores the impact that these events have had on society throughout history.
Governments-in-exile are a type of political power that maintain a claim of legitimacy to the territory it once controlled but currently does not control. They also may seek recognition from other nations for the purpose of negotiating treaties or military organization. During World War I, several governments-in-exile, including the Belgian, Czechoslovak and Yugoslavian governments, acted as such. During the decolonization of Africa after World War II, national liberation movements often acted as governments-in-exile in anticipation of eventually controlling their home countries.
Often, the capital of a government-in-exile will be located outside of the country it claims to govern over. For example, the Sahrawi government-in-exile (first called Bir Lehlou and then moved to Tifariti in 2008) is located in the Tindouf refugee camps in Algeria. This distinguishes it from the Spanish government-in-exile, which still controls a substantial portion of the former Spanish Saharan territory. Governments-in-exile are often created during hostile occupations or in the aftermath of a coup, civil war or revolution. The success of these entities depends largely on the recognition they receive from other nations.