Self-Determination in the 20th Century - Is It Still Sexy?

By Hani Azzam on March 3, 2013

“To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace” (Article I of the UN Charter).

In the world current international system of nation-states, the ideal that a national group can operate as an independent component in this framework seems fitting. As the UN charter reads, the right for people to determine their own political and societal structure should “strengthen universal peace.” While that conclusion is certainly up for debate, we cannot deny its central role in forming the geopolitical globe that we see today.

Around the world, stateless national groups still envision self-determination movements as the vehicle for independence and increased international influence. Strong sovereign sentiments pervade politics in both the East and the West, from the Quebecois, Scottish, and Catalans, to Palestinians, Tibetans and Touaregs.

Nowadays, however, these movements intertwine more than ever both with concerns beyond simply their geopolitical sphere. Questions of economics, resources like oil, and the game of international politics overshadow the simple desire to realize self-determination. Rather than resting on the people’s will for self-determination, the biggest players in this real life Age of Empires essentially have a veto over making the dream of independence a reality.

Most recently, the requirement for this tacit approval from world superpowers played out in Mali. On April 6, 2012, The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad declared the Independent State of Azawad as a homeland for the Touareg people. No international powers recognized the new state, Islamic groups gained footing, and eventually a coalition of western forces (led by France) invaded the region to “restore Mali’s territorial integrity.”

While Azawad received no diplomatic recognition, the case of Palestine’s Declaration of Independence proves just how much control the world’s upper political echelons hold. Proclaimed an independent state on November 15, 1988, over 130 states have officially recognized the State of Palestine, while 160 recognize the State of Israel. Obviously there is overlap between these two groups however, the United States, Australia Canada, Japan, and a vast majority of the EU have refused to establish official diplomatic relations with Palestine, while an array of Arab, Muslim, and non-western states have refused to recognize Israel. The states that don’t recognize Palestine include 9 of the 14 highest GDPs (average of 6th highest GDP) in the world, three permanent security council members and those 9 alone account for about 50% of the world’s wealth, while the ten highest ranked countries that do not recognize Israel, average 36th richest country in the world an account for just 4% of the world’s wealth, and include zero permanent security council members. No wonder that Israel sits at the UN as a nation among equals, while Palestine remains an “Observer State” (a move that was still opposed by some that have yet to recognize Palestine).

Meanwhile, countries like Kosovo and South Sudan have found acceptance from the decision-making countries on the international scene and have thus established “functional” states. Pro-independence parties control legislatures in Quebec, Scotland, Catalonia, and Occupied Palestine, and the next few years will certainly see more attempts at independence. However, until the world’s superpowers see no threat from these countries’ independence, their dreams of true self-determination may fall tragically futile.

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