This volume investigates the moral and political legitimacy of secession and the conceptual foundations of national self-determination. Margaret Moore, a prominent scholar in political philosophy, curates a collection of original essays that examine the tension between state sovereignty and the rights of sub-state groups. The contributors apply various ethical frameworks to determine whether the right to secede can be reconciled with liberal democratic values or if it inherently threatens global stability.

Scholars and students of political theory frequently cite this collection as a foundational resource for understanding the complex intersection of ethics and statehood. Experts highlight the text for its rigorous academic approach to a volatile and evolving subject in international law and philosophy.