Internal self-determination in international law : history, theory, and practice /
Kalana Senaratne, University of Peradeniya.
- 1 online resource (xiv, 278 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).
Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 26 Jul 2021).
History of internal self-determination -- Internal self-determination and the populations of states -- Internal self-determination and minority groups -- Western and third world approaches to internal self-determination -- Sri Lanka : a case study -- Hong Kong : a case study -- Internal self-determination in the courts of law.
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.