The Sovereignty Dispute Over the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands [Hardcover]

The complex question of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands remains far from resolved, even after the military and political events that took place from April to June 1982. The first scholarly work of its kind, this broad and dispassionate study of the causes of the South Atlantic war between Britain and Argentina addresses the larger issues raised by the Falkland crisis and untangles a web of events and attitudes that stretch back over the past century. The book begins with a close evaluation of the two pivotal arguments: Argentina's stance that international law supports their historical right to the islands, and Britain's position that the length of their occupation of the Falklands, together with the principles of self-determination, legalized their de facto control. Gustafson then discusses how potential off-shore oil reserves, diplomacy, domestic politics, and the use of force entered into the sovereignty dispute; analyzes the effects of war on international relations; and considers possible future approaches to handling the dispute.

[An] excellent and very readable analysis....There is an excellent blend of the legal, political, and diplomatic approaches which the layman will find wide-ranging, informative, and readable. --International Journal

Particularly distinguished by the full account that he gives of the legal development of the principle of self-determination and its relation to sovereignty. Such an account is especially important because both the substance and the rhetoric of the Falklands dispute revolved around the conflict between these principles. --Political Studies

A very useful book, one that should be required reading for all those interested in serious research on the ill-fated Malvinas (Falkland) dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The book leaves almost no historical or political aspect of the dispute unexamined. With an impressive display of research and documentation, Glã3