Abstract
In this thought-provoking work, Anna Moltchanova articulates a rigorously developed position which promises to harmonise the rights of nations within multinational federations to exercise their self-determination in a manner that will not attenuate the hegemony of the wider host state. At a time when international law remains reticent on the requisite political rights and powers of non-state groups in multinational states, this work offers a timely philosophical perspective. The author takes special care to illuminate the discernible relationship between the theoretical and empirical realities of the international system of governance in a manner that can facilitate knowledge transfer.
In short, Moltchanova presents an original concept of nationhood embedded in a common political culture. In her own words, ‘nationhood can be defined as a political culture based upon the shared end of acquiring or maintaining effective agency having to do with self-determination’ (p. 83). She is quick to point out that the existence of a common political culture does not automatically endow a national group with the right to self-determination or entitle national groups to statehood. This definition is a cogent one because it avoids presupposing differential treatments or entitlements in its very definition and distinguishes between nations that have substantially similar nonpolitical cultures. Assuming that self-determination does not necessarily require independent statehood, Moltchanova posits that a sub-state has the moral right to determine its political future in such a way that preserves the territorial integrity of the host state. This, she maintains, will in turn enhance the selfdetermination of sub-states as the preservation of territorial integrity and stability of the host state is expected to promote cooperation between the majority and minority. Once equality of self-determination and human rights for national groups is present, international law can be revised to support the equality of a state group's self-determination within multinational states. The core principle that can then be applied empirically is a division of power between a central government and its national subunits. Sub-states can be allocated sufficient resources to determine their political futures harmoniously. In this way, selfdetermination can be institutionalised without the visible effects of minority nations being marginalised in nation states.
A criticism of the work can be found in Moltchanova's definition of ‘nationhood’ which contains subjective elements that provide for latitude in interpretation and application by political elites. Although well written, the work is best suited to researchers and postgraduate students.