What is the main distinction between separatism and irredentism?

The main distinction between separatism and irredentism lies in their objectives and the relationship they have with existing political boundaries. Separatism refers to a movement by a group within a state that seeks to gain independence and establish a separate sovereign state. This typically involves seeking autonomy or complete independence from the larger political entity to which they currently belong. The goals of separatism revolve around self-determination for a particular group, often based on ethnic, cultural, or historical identities.

Irredentism, on the other hand, involves the desire to annex territories that the proponents believe are historically or ethnically related to their nation but are currently governed by another state. This perspective seeks to change borders by incorporating these territories into the nation advocating for irredentism, based on the premise that such regions culturally or historically belong to them.

Thus, the distinction is significant: while separatism focuses on creating a new and independent political entity, irredentism is concerned with altering the current borders to reclaim and annex territories perceived as belonging to a particular nation.