Self-exile (also spelled self-exile) refers to the voluntary act of leaving one's homeland or community by one's own decision, as opposed to forced exile or banishment imposed by an external authority. It is both a countable noun (a person who chooses to live in exile) and an uncountable noun (the state of being in such exile).
Definition and Etymology
The term entered English usage around 1820–1830. It is a compound of "self-" (oneself) and "exile" (from Latin exsilium, meaning banishment). The American Heritage Dictionary defines self-exile as "one exiled by his or her own decision or volition." The Oxford English Dictionary records a single meaning for the noun: a state of exile imposed by oneself.
Distinction from Forced Exile
Self-exile is distinguished from forced exile (deportation or banishment) in that the individual chooses to leave. In Roman law, exsilium denoted both voluntary exile and banishment as an alternative to capital punishment. Voluntary exile has historically been used as a means to avoid legal prosecution, taxation, political persecution, or personal danger.
Common Contexts and Usage
- Political self-exile: Individuals may leave their country due to political persecution, dissent, or to avoid prosecution. Examples include political leaders who flee abroad after losing power, or activists who leave to escape repression.
- Tax exile: A wealthy individual who relocates to a jurisdiction with lower taxes. Notable examples include the Rolling Stones, who left Britain in 1971 due to tax debts, and Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, who renounced his U.S. citizenship before the company's IPO.
- Personal or religious self-exile: Individuals may isolate themselves voluntarily for personal development, repentance, or religious devotion.
- Avoiding legal matters: Some individuals live in self-exile to avoid criminal prosecution or civil litigation.
Related Concepts
Self-exile is closely related to the broader concept of exile as discussed in international law. Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile." While forced exile is restricted under international law, self-exile remains a voluntary act by the individual. The term "government in exile" describes a political entity that has relocated outside its claimed territory, often as a result of forced circumstances rather than voluntary self-exile.
