Whose self-determination? - A critical examination on the right to self-determination and its role during the process of decolonisation
Author
Summary, in Swedish
This essay seeks to analyse self-determination from a critical perspective based on postcolonial theory. By examining the historical roots of self-determination, its connection to international human rights as well as to concepts such as sovereignty and nationalism can be established. It should also be noticed that self-determination is closely intertwined with the history of European Enlightenment as well as European colonialism.
The right to self-determination is today seen as one of the fundamental human rights and is explicitly referenced to in various international instruments regulating human rights. However, the criterions for actually applying self-determination in practice are not clear and often result in complex questions. As self-determination is not seen as an absolute right, its practice may be further limited due to various factors, not least with reference to territorial integrity.
During the process of decolonisation, self-determination was often seen as synonymous with secession. However, due to the artificial borders established in the interests of colonial powers, secession and self-determination in postcolonial Africa have given rise to modern day conflicts. By examining the situation on the Horn of Africa, this essay shows that these contradicting opinions regarding the inviolability of these colonial borders have led to modern day conflicts. For example, where Somalia applies the concept of an elastic state, its neighbouring countries do not.
Lastly, one could claim that the right to self-determination is built on the premise that the world should be ordered in nation-states. Not least is this apparent in the assumption of self-determination meaning that relevant groups want to achieve statehood or formal recognition within an already existing statehood.
The right to self-determination is today seen as one of the fundamental human rights and is explicitly referenced to in various international instruments regulating human rights. However, the criterions for actually applying self-determination in practice are not clear and often result in complex questions. As self-determination is not seen as an absolute right, its practice may be further limited due to various factors, not least with reference to territorial integrity.
During the process of decolonisation, self-determination was often seen as synonymous with secession. However, due to the artificial borders established in the interests of colonial powers, secession and self-determination in postcolonial Africa have given rise to modern day conflicts. By examining the situation on the Horn of Africa, this essay shows that these contradicting opinions regarding the inviolability of these colonial borders have led to modern day conflicts. For example, where Somalia applies the concept of an elastic state, its neighbouring countries do not.
Lastly, one could claim that the right to self-determination is built on the premise that the world should be ordered in nation-states. Not least is this apparent in the assumption of self-determination meaning that relevant groups want to achieve statehood or formal recognition within an already existing statehood.
Department/s
Publishing year
2016
Language
English
Full text
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Document type
Student publication for Bachelor's degree
Topic
- Law and Political Science
Keywords
- self-determination
- human rights
- postcolonialism
- law
- colonisation
- decolonisation
Supervisor
- Christian Häthén (assistant professor)