Internal Self-Determination in International Law
History, Theory, and Practice

A clear and accessible study of the principle of internal self-determination in international law.

Kalana Senaratne (Author)

9781108735834, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 July 2023

292 pages
27 x 18 x 1.9 cm, 0.429 kg

Internal self-determination is an under-explored topic in international law. It is popularly understood to be a principle of relatively recent origin, promoting democratic freedoms to populations and autonomy for minority groups within states. It has also been viewed as a principle receiving the support of Western states, in particular. In this first book-length critical study of the topic, the reader is invited to rethink the history, theory and practice of internal self-determination in a complex world. Kalana Senaratne shows that it is a principle of great, but varied, potential. Internal self-determination promises democratic freedoms and autonomy to peoples; but it also represents an idea which is not historically new, and is ultimately a principle which can be promoted for different and conflicting purposes. Written in a clear and accessible style, this book will be of interest to international lawyers, state-officials, minority groups, and students of law and politics.

Acknowledgements
Table of Cases
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. A History of Internal Self-Determination
3. Internal Self-Determination and the Populations of States
4. Internal Self-Determination and Minority Groups
5. Western and Third World Approaches to Internal Self-Determination
6. Sri Lanka: A Case Study
7. Hong Kong: A Case Study
8. Internal Self-Determination in the Courts of Law
9. Conclusion
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Diplomatic law [LBBD], Public international law [LBB], International law [LB], Law [L]