This introductory chapter examines the current scholarship on leaving or walking away from political groups such as nation states, political parties, and civic associations. It argues that “exit” tends to have three characteristics in this literature. It is associated with individualism, anti-participation, and freedom from higher authority. In short, exit is often thought of as an act that cuts someone off from politics or frees a person from the burden on politics. The chapter suggests that there is another way to think about exit as remaining connected to politics and attached to political communities. Using James Baldwin’s self-exile from the United States as an example, it offers an initial glimpse of what this alternative way of leaving looks like and provides an overview of the chapters of the book.
