The right to self-determination in international politics: six theories insearch of a policy

The principle of the self-determination of peoples is enshrined in the Unit ed Nations Charter and based on liberal and democratic values. However, the international community has, until recently, interpreted this principle ve ry restrictively, so that it has amounted to little more than the right to be free from European colonialism. The collapse of the USSR and Yugoslavia, as well as persistent ethno-nationalist conflicts around the world, have p rovoked new thinking about the right of self-determination in political the ory. This article reviews six theories, and identifies what they have in co mmon and on what they differ. It draws some cautious policy conclusions fro m this analysis and, in doing so, seeks to clarify the role and limits of t heory in international politics.