Research On The Development Of The Right Of National Self-determination

The right of national self-determination came along with the national liberation movement.And its content is constantly changing with the times.In the early decolonization movement,the right of national self-determination played a very important role.With the ending of the colonial era,the development of it also encountered new challenges.This article intends to provide new ideas for the development of the right of national self-determination in the current international situation.First of all,this paper shows the process of the emergence and development of the right in details.The right of national self-determination was born during the period of the bourgeois revolution.It was first applied as a political principle,then it was written into a series of international documents so that it became a basic principle of international law.Then we set forth its concept and content.The content of it has developed from a political demand to the right covering multiple aspects of autonomy including politics,economy,culture and society.Then we analyze the subjects who exercise the right of national self-determination.Secondly,this paper further analyzes the relationship between the right of national self-determination and the referendum.The referendum is widely used as the most important way of exercising the right of national self-determination.If the referendum is abused,it will be more deceptive than other methods.So the referendum exercising conditions based on the right of national self-determination should be defined.Furthermore,this article introduces the Gibraltar referendum in 1967 and the Scottish referendum in 2014.By comparing the two classic cases,we further analyze the methods of correctly exercising the right of national self-determination.And we summarize the dilemmas of the application of the right of national self-determination in the current international situation.It includes the imperfect regulation of national self-determination,the conflict with the principle of state sovereignty,the confusion with ethnic separatism,and the limitations of the theory itself,which refers to the conflict between internal self-determination and external self-determination.Finally,this article puts forward suggestions for the application of the right.At first,it is necessary to standardize the conditions for exercising the right of national self-determination,including its prerequisites,subjects and referendum procedures;in addition,it is necessary to ensure that the right of national self-determination is exercised in the principle of state sovereignty.And correctly distinguishing the differences from ethnic separatism and the right of national self-determination is needed,as well.We can also strengthen international guidance and supervision and seek new models to solve problems,including granting full autonomy to all nations and enhancing their sense of belonging.We hope that the right of national self-determination can maintain its vitality and avoid being abused in the new era.