London (CNN) -- Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister, is fond of saying that when the United Nations was first formed in 1945, it had just 50 members. Today, he adds, that figure has risen to almost 200. It's a nice line, although in reality the emergence of a new nation remains relatively rare. 

But there does seem to be a pattern emerging, in Europe and beyond. In Spain (Catalonia) and Belgium (Flanders), as well as the United Kingdom (Scotland), secessionist movements appear to be on the rise. All three have existed for decades, yet they seem particularly lively in the second decade of the 21st century. 

Thus Salmond, who this weekend addresses delegates at the Scottish National Party's annual conference in the Scottish city of Perth, likes to talk of Scotland's "home rule journey" being part of a bigger international trend. His point is clear: "independence," far from being dangerous or unusual, is a natural state of affairs. 

Professor Robert Young, an expert in secession, says all three countries have a history of regional -- or devolved -- government (relatively recently in the case of the UK). "I was considering the old question," he says, "about whether regional government structures aid or inhibit secessionist movements. 

"It seems to me that they aid them, other things being equal. The secessionist party will come to power, sooner or later, because governments become unpopular. If they then govern well, this serves as a further mobilizing mechanism." 

Only recently a secessionist movement, the nationalist party Convergència i Unió first took office in Catalonia in 1980, while in Scotland the SNP formed a minority government in 2007 -- becoming a majority four years later. In Flanders the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie, which wants gradual secession from Belgium, recently swept the board in municipal elections. 
What seems to be on the rises at the UN?
Who is Alex Salmond?
When was the UN formed?
With how many members?
How many are there now?
Who is Salmond addressing soon?
at what?
Where?
What does he like to talk about?
What is his main point?
Does he think it's dangerous?
What is Robert Young's job?
What is he an expert in?
What will happen to the secessionist party?
Does he think governments are becoming popular?
What happened in 1980?
And in 2007?
What happened later?
How much later did that happen?
Who won the  municipal elections?
Membership.
 Today, he adds, that figure has risen to almost 200. 
Scotland's First Minister
 Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister
1945
United Nations was first formed in 1945
50
, it had just 50 members
200
figure has risen to almost 200. 
delegates
this weekend addresses delegates at the Scottish National Party's
Tthe Scottish National Party's annual conference
delegates at the Scottish National Party's annual conference 
Perth.
Scottish city of Perth
The "home rule journey"
 likes to talk of Scotland's "home rule journey"
"independence," is a natural state of affairs.
His point is clear: "independence," far from being dangerous or unusual, is a natural state of affairs. 
No
His point is clear: "independence," far from being dangerous or unusual, is a natural state of affairs. 
Professor
Professor Robert Young,
Secession
 an expert in secession
It will come to power
 The secessionist party will come to power, sooner or later, because governments become unpopular.
No.
sooner or later, because governments become unpopular.
Convergència i Unió took office.
 the nationalist party Convergència i Unió first took office in Catalonia in 1980
The SNP formed a minority government.
 SNP formed a minority government in 2007 
They became a majority.
- becoming a majority four years later
Four years later.
becoming a majority four years later. 
Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie
ieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie, which wants gradual secession from Belgium, recently swept the board in municipal elections. 