Formless as Water, Flaming as a Fire-Some observations on the Theory and Practice of Self-Determination

Keerawella Gamini

No 13, IDE Discussion Papers from Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization(JETRO)

Abstract: The concept of national self-determination is a highly contested concept from very outset. It is partly due to its dual parentage, namely nationalism and liberalism. Prior to 1945 it was only a political concept without legal binding. With the incorporation of the principle in the UN Charter it was universalized and legalized. However, there were two competing interpretations at the UN based on de-colonization and representative government. How to define self and what really determined remain highly controversial. How to reconcile the international norm of sovereignty of state and self determination of people became more complex problem with the tide of secessionist movements based on ethno-nationalism. The concept of internal self-determination came as a compromise; but it is also very vague and harbors a wide range of interpretations.

Keywords: Self-determination; Peoples; Sovereignty; Secession; Ethnicity; Separatism; Nationalism; United Nations; 民族自決; 主権; エスニシティ; 分離運動; ナショナリズム; 国際連合 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004-10-01
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Published in IDE Discussion Paper = IDE Discussion Paper, No. 13. 2004-10-01

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