The United Nations – Friend or Foe of Self Determination?

The United Nations: Friend or Foe of Self-Determination? is a critical edited collection that appraises the UN’s complex relationship with the principle of self-determination. Edited by Jakob R. Avgustin, this volume moves beyond theoretical debates to offer a practical analysis of how the UN navigates the inherent conflict between a people’s right to self-determination and the sanctity of state sovereignty.

Key Features

• Global Case Studies: Features in-depth analysis of diverse cases, including post-statehood in South Sudan and East Timor, Palestinian and Sahrawi resistance, and the geopolitics of Jammu and Kashmir.

• Indigenous Rights: Explores the UN’s evolving role as both a hindrance and a help to Indigenous peoples seeking self-governance.

• Beyond State-Centrism: Argues that solving modern conflicts requires a paradigm shift away from the rigid state-centric system of the UN.

• Legal Framework Analysis: Examines the application of Articles 1 and 55 of the UN Charter and the 1960 Declaration on Decolonization.

• Alternative Approaches: Addresses “hybrid self-determination” in post-conflict states and the unique challenges faced by micro-states.

• Academic Excellence: Backed by the editorial guidance of E-International Relations, providing a rigorous yet accessible resource for IR students.