Suchergebnisse

AbstractFor more than a century, it was assumed that plural societies were unconducive to democratic government and assimilation a necessity. The end of the Cold War reopened the question of self‐determination and the concomitant issue of minority rights not only in Europe but also worldwide. As a result, minority rights and multiculturalism are emerging as the consensus position on democracy in plural societies. But it would be inaccurate and potentially unwise to regard this pluralist perspective as a universal remedy for the problems of diversity. Instead, the history of academic debate and public policy in this area as surveyed here is testimony to the fact that there can be no categorical imperatives when addressing problems of democratic governance in plural societies; both academics and policy‐makers would do well to remember that crucial fact.

National minorities are collectivities who possess that trait which is the current normative underpinning of states, namely nationhood, and yet for practical purposes cannot enjoy outright political independence. Because national minorities bear these normatively significant characteristics they may be deemed to have legitimate international claims to certain special rights even if these fall short of statehood. Yet although this rationale may be logically sound and morally justified, pursuing it nevertheless raises serious problems with regard to state sovereignty.

Describes and evaluates various mechanisms of national minority rights enforcement to discover whether priority was accorded to the rights of states or to the rights of minorities; based on efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and Council of Europe, 1990-95.

National minorities are collectivities who possess the trait that is the current normative underpinning of states, ie, nationhood, but, for practical purposes, cannot enjoy outright political independence. Because national minorities bear these normatively significant characteristics, they may be deemed to have legitimate international claims to certain special rights even if these fall short of statehood. Yet, although this rationale may be logically sound & morally justified, pursuing it raises serious problems with regard to state sovereignty. Discussed here are international & European responses to national minorities & their impact on international politics in the context of a pursuit of rights. 13 References. Adapted from the source document.