A Theory of Secession [Paperback]

This 2005 book presents an argument for the right of groups to secede, offering a thorough and unapologetic defense.A Theory of Secession: The Case for Political Self-Determination supplies a thorough and unapologetic defense of the right to secede. In particular, it argues that any group has a moral right to secede as long as its political divorce will leave it and the remainder state in a position to perform the requisite political functions. Thus, if one values self-determination, then one has good reason to conclude that people have a right to determine their political boundaries.A Theory of Secession: The Case for Political Self-Determination supplies a thorough and unapologetic defense of the right to secede. In particular, it argues that any group has a moral right to secede as long as its political divorce will leave it and the remainder state in a position to perform the requisite political functions. Thus, if one values self-determination, then one has good reason to conclude that people have a right to determine their political boundaries.Offering an unapologetic defense of the right to secede, Christopher Heath Wellman argues that any group has a moral right to secede as long as its political divorce will leave it and the remainder state in a position to perform the requisite political functions. He explains that there is nothing contradictory about valuing legitimate states, while permitting their division. Thus, if one values self-determination, then one has good reason to conclude that people have a right to determine their political boundaries.1. Introduction; 2. The case for statism; 3. Valuing self-determination; 4. Lincoln on secession; 5. The truth in nationalism; 6. Political coercion and exploitation; 7. Secession and international law; 8. The velvet transformation.Christopher Heath Wellman's new book defends a controversial thesis in a novel way. He defends secession and does so in a bold manner that will set his book apart from other suchlÓ*