Report no. 1-2011
In this report, Maria Ackrén compares the autonomies of Åland and South Tyrol. Similar comparisons have been made earlier, but Ackrén chooses a new theoretical framework through examining the solutions from the perspective of partition, institutional design and consocial components. In this way, Ackrén, places her research within a new orientation in autonomy research, an orientation that is not only limited to the prerequisites for achieving some form of peaceful solution to territorial and ethnical conflicts, but emphasizes just as much the strength and longevity of such arrangements. That is what makes the Åland solution, with its 90 years, and South Tyrol, with 65 years, interesting and important as research objects. The two solutions, Åland and the South Tyrol, shows many differences but also striking similarities.They both combine an assurance of the systems through national and international guarantees. Both autonomy legislations have a strong position in the legal framework of the respective countries and both concerned neighbouring states, Austria and Sweden, have kept a careful and restrictive attitude.