[Forward the Light Brigade]

Not the same at all—Is Catalonia planning on joing France? In history there are two forces—Balkanism—states breaking into smaller ones, and Imperialism—large state taking over smaller ones to form superstates (like Roman Empire). What happened in Russia was Imperialism—Russia getting bigger. Votes in Scotland and Venice are examples of Balkanism—states breaking up. Its all about power (imperialism) and weakness (Balkanism).

[grania]

As an addition to your question: If these regions vote out of their countries but not to join another EU country, does that mean they found a way to vote themselves out of the European Union?

It might be the best way to stop the global/elitist rape of economies, worldwide.