ABSTRACT
The theory of self-determination is theoretically and practically linked to other legal theories, which include statehood, recognition, sovereignty, and intervention. In each instance, this chapter will describe and demonstrate how these theories are intertwined, and how a minority group’s quest for self-determination often depends on these four legal theories. First, a group’s ability to self-determine its political fate often hinges on its ability to prove that it qualifies as a new state. Second, a self-determination-seeking group must demonstrate that it merits recognition by external actors—in other words, that it will behave as a “good” state and that it will be a legitimate state partner on the global scene. Third, such groups must show that their sovereignty quests warrant respect, and that their proposed territorial units should be treated as sovereign entities. Finally, in some instances, self-determination-seeking groups need the external actors’ help in the form of intervention for the achievement of such self-determination goals, as illustrated by the case of Kosovo. Before engaging in such discussion, however, this chapter will briefly describe the phenomenon of the great powers by describing who they are and how they have achieved their super-sovereign status on the world scene. Although Chapter 4 includes a more detailed discussion of the great powers, for the purposes of this chapter, it is relevant to briefly describe what the phenomenon of the great powers truly entails by focusing on their own identity.
