This paper examines how the demand for independence appeared in the era of Decolonization. I argue that nationalist movements were more likely to emerge in places where the colonial authorities recruited the native population in World War II. The theory highlights the role of war veterans in creating the demand for independence and in facilitating it through organized collective action. Drawing on original World War II native recruitment data, an analysis of nationalist movements in sub-national units from 1945 to 1984 provides evidence consistent with the theory. The findings in this study help us better understand the rise of nationalist movements in the twentieth century and the political effects of military service.
Joowon Yi, Demand for Statehood: The Case of Native Military Recruitment in World War II, International Studies Quarterly, Volume 67, Issue 4, December 2023, sqad080, https://doi.org/10.1093/isq/sqad080
