A Theory of SecessionFirst published in 2005, A Theory of Secession: The Case for Political Self-Determination offers an unapologetic defense of the right to secede. Christopher Heath Wellman argues that any group has a moral right to secede as long as its political divorce will leave it and the remainder state in a position to perform the requisite political functions. He explains that there is nothing contradictory about valuing legitimate states, while permitting their division. Once political states are recognized as valuable because of the functions that they are uniquely suited to perform, it becomes apparent that the territorial boundaries of existing states might permissably be redrawn as long as neither the process, nor the result of this reconfiguration, interrupts the production of the crucial political benefits. Thus, if one values self-determination, then one has good reason to conclude that people have a right to determine their political boundaries. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Allen Buchanan allow annexation Antonio argue argument Barbara Bathsheba Buchanan Canada chapter citizens claim coerce coercion and exploitation compatriots conationals consent consequentialist consider constitutional cultural David Miller defend democracy democratic deny deontological deontological reasons disrespected Drowning Offer duty equal recognition euthanasia existing explain favor Feinberg freedom of association functional theory group autonomy group self-determination harm principle impermissible impermissibly important incentives independence individual autonomy instance institutional institutionally protecting international law international legal system Joel Feinberg justice justified Kai Nielsen legitimate liberty Lincoln majority moral rights nationalist principle negative rights objection obligations one's option peace perform the requisite Pleasantville political coercion political divorce political legitimacy political self-determination Poorlanders position prohibit protecting primary rights reasons to respect recognize require requisite political functions restrict Richland right to secede rights to political samaritan secessionist rights separatist slavery South state's statism suggest Sunstein territory theorists theory of secession unilateral Union vote wrong wrongly