Self-determination
A people's right to form its own political entity.
Self-determination is a cardinal principle in modern international law, referring to a people's right to form its own political entity. It emerged with the rise of nationalism in the 19th century and came into prominent use in the 1860s, spreading rapidly thereafter. The principle was proclaimed by United States President Woodrow Wilson and others during and after World War I, and was later recognized as an international legal right after being explicitly listed in the UN Charter.
- field
- International law
- known_for
- Right of a people to form its own political entity
- key_proponents
- Woodrow Wilson, Vladimir Lenin
- charter_inclusion
- UN Charter
Lore & Background
The norm of self-determination can be traced to the American and French revolutions and the emergence of nationalism. The American example has been seen as the earliest assertion of the right of national self-determination, though this was argued primarily in terms of resistance to a despotic ruler rather than appeals to a 'natural right' of peoples. Thomas Jefferson promoted the notion that the will of the people was supreme, especially through authorship of the United States Declaration of Independence, which became an inspiration for European nationalist movements during the 19th century.
Reader's Guide
Self-determination is a cardinal principle in modern international law, binding on the United Nations as an authoritative interpretation of the Charter's norms. However, the principle does not state how the decision is to be made, nor what the outcome should be—whether independence, federation, protection, some form of autonomy, or full assimilation. No right to secession is recognized under international law. Implementing the right can be politically difficult, in part because there are multiple interpretations of what constitutes a people and which groups may legitimately claim the right. As World Court judge Ivor Jennings put it: 'the people cannot decide until somebody decides who are the people.' The principle was included in the Atlantic Charter during World War II and recognized as an international legal right after being explicitly listed in the UN Charter. Its application has been historically selective, as seen in the post–World War I settlements where the principle was not extended to end colonialism, under the reasoning that local populations were not civilized enough.
Did You Know?
- Self-determination emerged with the rise of nationalism in the 19th century and came into prominent use in the 1860s.
- No right to secession is recognized under international law.
- The principle does not state how the decision is to be made, nor what the outcome should be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is self-determination in international law?
Self-determination is a cardinal principle of modern international law that guarantees a people the right to establish and govern their own political entity. It sits at the core of how nations and communities claim sovereignty over their political future.
When did the idea of self-determination first gain traction?
The concept grew out of 19th-century nationalist movements and entered prominent public discourse in the 1860s, after which it spread rapidly across political and legal circles.
Who are the most notable proponents of self-determination?
Woodrow Wilson and Vladimir Lenin are widely recognized as the principle's key advocates, each pushing the idea into major political and legal frameworks during the early 20th century.
How is self-determination enshrined in modern international law?
After World War I the principle gained widespread recognition, and it was later cemented as an explicit international legal right through its inclusion in the United Nations Charter.
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