
What makes a state? This question has attracted more and more attention in recent years with Catalan's illegal vote for independence from Spain and Palestine's ongoing search for international recognition. And while Scotland chose to remain with the United Kingdom, discussions of independence have only continued as the ramifications of the Brexit vote begin to set in. Kosovo, South Sudan, and the situation in Ukraine--each in its way reveals the perils of creating a nation separate from neighbors who have dominated it.As James Ker-Lindsay and Mikulas Fabry show in this new addition to the What Everyone Needs to Know® series, the road to statehood never did run smooth. Declaring independence is only the first step; gaining both local and global acceptance is necessary before a state can become truly independent. The prospect of losing territory is usually not welcomed by the parent state, and any such threat to an existing culture and its economy is often met with resistance--armed or otherwise. Beyond this immediate conflict, the international community often refuses to accept new states without proof of defined territory, a settled population, and effective government, which frequently translates to a democratic one with demonstrated respect for human rights. Covering the legal, political, and practical issues of secession and state creation, Ker-Lindsay and Fabry provide a sure-footed guide to a complex topic.
What are the legal, political, and practical requirements for a territory to successfully achieve international recognition as an independent state? James Ker-Lindsay and Mikulas Fabry, both established scholars in international relations and conflict studies, synthesize historical precedents and contemporary case studies to explain the mechanisms of secession. They argue that statehood is not merely a unilateral declaration but a complex negotiation involving domestic resistance and the rigorous criteria imposed by the international community.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts identify this work as a highly accessible entry point for students and general readers interested in the complexities of sovereignty. Readers frequently note that the prose remains clear and objective despite the dense political subject matter.
Page Count:
200
Publication Date:
2022-12-09
ISBN-10:
0190494042
ISBN-13:
9780190494049
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