This book shows how international discourse citing 'self-determination' over the last hundred years has functioned as a battleground between two ideas of freedom: a 'radical' idea of freedom, and a 'liberal-conservative' idea of freedom. The book examines each of the major moments in which 'self-determination' has been a central part of the language of high-level international politics and law: the early 20 th century discourse of V.I. Lenin and U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, the aftermath of the First World War and the formulation of the UN Charter, the 1950-1960s UN debates on 'self-determination', and the 2008-2010 International Court of Justice case on Kosovo's declaration of independence. At each of these moments in history, 'self-determination' was at the top of the international agenda. And at each moment, a fight over the meaning of freedom played out in 'self-determination' discourse. Besides providing insights into the historical times in which self-determination was prominently cited internationally, the book offers a recasting and renewal of international debates on freedom in international discourse.

This book examines the international discourse on 'self-determination' Reveals a battle between two ideas of freedom a 'liberal-conservative' idea of freedom, and a 'radical' idea of freedom Proposes a reconceptualization of the meaning of freedom in international affairs, and a recategorisation of the overarching international ideational trends of the last century

Autorentext

Rita Augestad Knudsen is a Senior Researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Security and Defence Group, Norway. She is the Managing Director of the Consortium for Research on Terrorism and International Crime.

Inhalt

Chapter 1. Introduction: 'Self-Determination' and Ideas of Freedom.- Chapter 2. LENIN, 'Self-Determination' and The Radical Idea of Freedom. - Chapter 3. WOODROW WILSON, 'Self-Determination' and The Liberal-Conservative Idea of Freedom.- Chapter 4. 'Self-Determination' Enters International Law. - Chapter 5. Defining 'Self-Determination', Disagreeing on Freedom.- Chapter 6. In Court: 'Self-Determination and Freedom in The ICJ Case of Kosovo.- Chapter 7. Conclusions: The Fight Over Freedom at Moments of Self-Determination.