Political exile is a process of being barred from one’s homeland for political reasons. It is a symptom of the growth of nation-states and the underlying doctrine that ties between state and citizen are indivisible. As a result, exile is often accompanied by a sense of displacement and loss.
Displacement may be triggered by war, revolution, or the threat of a military coup. It can also be instigated by a desire to maintain a governmental structure in the face of an ongoing power struggle or the fear of losing a governing position. In these cases, governments in exile are proclaimed and maintained outside of the country they formerly controlled. They may only control a limited portion of their former territory, such as the Sahrawi government-in-exile established in Tindouf refugee camps after the Spanish withdrawal from what was then the disputed territory of the Western Sahara in 1976. Alternatively, they may have much more control over the surrounding area, as is the case with the All-Palestine Government proclaimed in 1948 in Gaza.
The experiences of people living in exile illustrate the complexities of this phenomenon and how it can be used as a tool to promote or subvert nationalist ideals. For example, John Milton’s experiences with political exile shaped his literary works and influenced the political landscape of 17th century England as it struggled to balance authority with individual liberty. Likewise, Napoleon’s time on the island of St. Helena after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo reshaped perceptions of his legacy and the nature of European power struggles during this tumultuous period.
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