London ( CNN ) -- Alex Salmond , Scotland 's First Minister , is fond of saying that when the United Nations was first formed in 1945 , it had just 50 members . Today , he adds , that figure has risen to almost 200 . It 's a nice line , although in reality the emergence of a new nation remains relatively rare . But there does seem to be a pattern emerging , in Europe and beyond . In Spain ( Catalonia ) and Belgium ( Flanders ) , as well as the United Kingdom ( Scotland ) , secessionist movements appear to be on the rise . All three have existed for decades , yet they seem particularly lively in the second decade of the 21st century . Thus Salmond , who this weekend addresses delegates at the Scottish National Party 's annual conference in the Scottish city of Perth , likes to talk of Scotland 's `` home rule journey '' being part of a bigger international trend . His point is clear : `` independence , '' far from being dangerous or unusual , is a natural state of affairs . Professor Robert Young , an expert in secession , says all three countries have a history of regional -- or devolved -- government ( relatively recently in the case of the UK ) . `` I was considering the old question , '' he says , `` about whether regional government structures aid or inhibit secessionist movements . `` It seems to me that they aid them , other things being equal . The secessionist party will come to power , sooner or later , because governments become unpopular . If they then govern well , this serves as a further mobilizing mechanism . '' Only recently a secessionist movement , the nationalist party Convergència i Unió first took office in Catalonia in 1980 , while in Scotland the SNP formed a minority government in 2007 -- becoming a majority four years later . In Flanders the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie , which wants gradual secession from Belgium , recently swept the board in municipal elections . This week British Prime Minister David Cameron traveled to Edinburgh to sign an agreement on the terms for a Scottish independence referendum due in October 2014 . In Catalonia , meanwhile , opinion polls suggest a majority favor secession , while snap elections on 25 November are expected to return a regional parliament dominated by pro-independence parties . Secessionist movements in Spain , Belgium and the UK hinge upon a heady mix of national identity , history and economics . Catalonia and Flanders believe that they contribute more to national coffers than they get out . Scottish Nationalists make similar claims -- vis-à-vis North Sea oil -- although the Westminster government refutes that as too simplistic . Anecdotal evidence suggests Basque and Catalan nationalists are watching events in Scotland closely . Iñigo Gurruchaga , a London-based correspondent for the Basque newspaper El Correo , says Spanish politicians and commentators are particularly struck by the willingness of the UK Government to facilitate a referendum on Scottish secession . `` For Basques and Catalans who defend their right to decide their own constitutional arrangements it is seen as proof of a British 'democratic maturity ' that is missing in Spain , '' he says . `` It is very doubtful that an agreement similar to the one announced in Edinburgh on Monday would be reached in Spain over the next two years . '' `` Once the Scottish referendum is held and the result is known , '' adds Gurruchaga , `` it would likely have again a substantial effect on attitudes in Spain . '' Young believes relations go even deeper than keeping abreast of news developments . `` Sovereigntist movements , '' he says , `` keep in close touch and learn from and encourage each other . '' Indeed , in Young 's home country of Canada , the Parti Québécois ( PQ ) , which recently formed a minority government in the French-speaking province , has not ruled out another referendum on secession ( there were others in 1980 and 1995 ) . The PQ also maintains links with the SNP . Visiting Paris this week , Quebec premier Pauline Marois said Scotland 's quest for independence `` inspires us . '' And on a trip to London last month , the veteran Catalan nationalist Jordi Pujol praised Salmond while warning that Scotland might opt for independence if the UK Government did not devolve more power . The SNP leader has clearly studied Pujol 's style closely , echoing the Catalan 's `` gradualist '' approach to acquiring more powers short of full independence . But while the world 's nationalist leaders might monitor each other 's progress , support for secession in Quebec , Scotland and Flanders remains a minority view ; only in Catalonia does it appear to total more than 50 % . That could , of course , change , particularly as austerity bites around the world ; nationalist movements , like political parties , rise and fall in popularity . Some parts of the world might even be heading in the opposite direction . On November 6 -- the same day as the U.S. presidential elections -- Puerto Ricans will vote in a plebiscite on the Commonwealth 's constitutional status , choosing between U.S. statehood , independence or `` free association . '' The governor , Luis Fortuno , supports statehood as the best option for Puerto Rico , currently a U.S. territory , although opinion polls are inconclusive . Even so , the United Nations would do well to at least clear some desk space in preparation for its 194th member .
Secessionist movements appear to be on the rise in Scotland , Spain and Belgium . New developments this year could lead to Scotland 's independence from Britain . Popular support for full independence across these regions is mixed . Secessionist movements draw upon heady mix of national identity , history and economics .