Since the independence of Croatia, Istrian politicians have one and only solution to all problems that come their way: autonomy. Quite by chance, today I leafed through one of the local newspapers and found a hefty article about the economic crisis gripping the peninsula. I did not read it, but skimming it for a few seconds was perfectly enough to get the gist of the whole story. The governor of Istria declared once again that the global crisis would never reach these parts were there autonomy. He also declared that the crisis would be pushed out the door in no time were there autonomy. As ever, he never defined the term. God forbid. It would only confuse the electorate. What could it possibly mean, though? Freedom from poor and corrupt Croatia? Closer ties with rich and lawful Italy? But the electorate is perfectly happy with the term. Autonomy is the solution to every single problem there is. If Istrians had their own island, or perhaps their own modest planet, everything would be just fine. They would work hard, they would be straight, and their politicians would be exactly in their image. All they would need to reach this paradise is autonomy. According to any dictionary, the term stands for political autonomy and self-government. Where the governor of Istria would turn into a benign sovereign of his harebrained people’s sweet dreams, no doubt. For better or worse, this is exactly how things already stand, anyway.