Defining ‘Self-Determination’, Disagreeing on Freedom

Abstract

This chapter concentrates on the ‘self-determination’ discourse of the 1950–1960 UN debates that resulted in the UN General Assembly Decolonisation Declaration (1960), and the two International Covenants on Human Rights (adopted in 1966). The 1960 Declaration was particularly important in formalising the connection between ‘self-determination’ and colonial independence, making the concept implementable. Most of the world’s states participated in this decade-long debate at the UN, and most made use of the language of ‘self-determination’. In terms of ideas, however, this long moment re-rehearsed the same two ideas of freedom that Lenin and Wilson had first introduced to high-level self-determination discourse. The state delegates that participated in the UN debates, including those arguing in support of self-determination, predominantly legitimised their positions with reference to peace, stability and non-interference. Also the final UN texts produced by this moment reaffirmed the international dominance of the liberal-conservative idea of freedom.