Is Self-Determination a Dangerous Illusion?

by David Miller

Claims to self-determination are rife in world politics today. They range from Scottish and Catalonian campaigns for independence to calls for the devolution of power to regions and cities. But is self-determination meaningful or desirable in the twenty-first century, or merely a dangerous illusion?  In this book, David Miller mounts a powerful defence of political self-determination. He explains why it is valuable and argues that geographic proximity alone is not enough for groups to have the capacity for group members must also identify with each other. He explores the different political forms that self-determination can take, and he suggests some realistic constraints on how it can be achieved, concluding that people exercising their collective agency is still both feasible and important.  Anyone concerned by the theoretical issues raised by the various secessionist and nationalist movements around the world should read this book.

140 pages, Paperback

Published December 23, 2019

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Reviews

[Sita Ram Meena]

Good and brief account of self determination for organized body.

I like this book for its brief explanation and exploration of some ideas about self determination. But I was looking for a more detailed self determination from individual point of view within a state and a organizational self determination within and outside the state. Still a good brief review of available world conflicts and possible solutions.

[Mehmet]

A nice short summary, but, in the end, I wasn't convinced that self-determination is NOT a dangerous illusion.