Philosophy 2810F/G Chapter : Self Determination - Margalit and Raz.docx

• School: Western University
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: Philosophy 2810F/G
• Professor: Jennifer Epp

Document Summary

Concern is with the moral justification of the case for national self determination. States and international law should recognize such a right only if there is a sound moral case for it. Justification of the law rests ultimately on moral considerations. There is a right to determine whether a certain territory shall become or remain a separate state. The idea of self government encompasses much more. The right to determine whether a territory should be an independent state is quite naturally regarded as the main instrument for realizing the ideal of self determination. Claims of self determination are invariably raised whenever one state invades and occupies another, or a territory belonging to another. Regardless of the soundness of one"s territory, one may not use force to occupy it. This is why the right to recover a territory lost by force is a possessory right.