Who Should Be Entitled To Vote in Self-determination Referenda (From Terrorism, Protest and Power, P 152-166, 1990, Martin Warner and Roger Crisp, eds. -- See NCJ-130873)

• NCJ Number: 130884
• Author(s): H Beran
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Avebury Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The issue of who should be entitled to vote in referenda regarding political self-determination is considered in view of normative theory of political self-determination, secession, and legitimate boundaries.

Abstract

Various written documents assert people's right of self-determination, but do not provide specific criteria for what qualifies as a "people." However, under liberal democratic theory, self-determination is the right of every group that is aware of itself as a distinct group, is territorially concentrated, and is viable as an independent political community. Unanswered questions include how small a group can have the right of self-determination and of setting up an independent country; the just distribution of benefits following the secession of a geographic area with most of a country's natural resources; and who should be entitled to vote in separatist referenda. The situation in New Caledonia, in which the Kanaks want to regain political independence, illustrates these issues as well as moral questions such as the expulsion of immigrants. The analysis also suggests that the theory of self-determination does not justify the Irish Republic's claim to sovereignty over all of Ireland and that where a full opportunity of self-determination is not possible, justice requires the adoption of the next best measures. Notes