Het volke aanspraak op eie state?

Abstract

Scores of disaffected ethnic minorities around the world clamour for independent statehood. Very few of them will, however, achieve their goal. This is not necessarily a disaster for the groups involved because there are various options short of statehood through which minorities can safeguard their vital interests. Globalisation creates an international climate conducive to the pursuit of such lesser alternatives designed to protect the identity and promote the welfare of ethnic communities within their existing states. The critical consideration is that the groups concerned be given some degree of self-government to determine their own fate.