Pax Populi or Casus Belli? On the Conflict Resolution Potential of Self-Determination Referendums

ETH Zurich.

This dissertation investigates the conflict resolution potential of self‐determination referendums. Over the past few decades, the use of referendums in the context of conflicts over secession and autonomy has proliferated remarkably. Self‐determination referendums are also increasingly advocated by the international community, from Bosnia to Northern Ireland, East Timor, and South Sudan. However, very little is known about their ability to resolve conflicts over self‐determination peacefully. Several perspectives can be found in the existing literature. While some see self‐determination referendums positively, others see them as prone to incite violent conflict, and still others argue that self‐determination referendums are likely to contribute to peaceful conflict resolution under some but not other conditions. To date, very little systematic empirical evidence exists to support either of these views.

URL: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000164781

DOI: 10.3929/ethz-b-000164781

Germann, Micha. 2017. “Pax Populi or Casus Belli? On the Conflict Resolution Potential of Self-Determination Referendums.” ETH Zurich.

@phdthesis{pax-populi-or-casus-belli,
   title = {Pax Populi or Casus Belli? On the Conflict Resolution Potential of Self-Determination Referendums},
   author = {Germann, Micha},
   school = {ETH Zurich},
   type = {{PhD} dissertation},
   doi = {10.3929/ethz-b-000164781},
   url = {https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000164781},
   year = {2017},
   abstract = {This dissertation investigates the conflict resolution potential of self-determination referendums. Over the past few decades, the use of referendums in the context of conflicts over secession and autonomy has proliferated remarkably. Self-determination referendums are also increasingly advocated by the international community, from Bosnia to Northern Ireland, East Timor, and South Sudan. However, very little is known about their ability to resolve conflicts over self-determination peacefully. Several perspectives can be found in the existing literature. While some see self-determination referendums positively, others see them as prone to incite violent conflict, and still others argue that self-determination referendums are likely to contribute to peaceful conflict resolution under some but not other conditions. To date, very little systematic empirical evidence exists to support either of these views.}
}