Self-Determination

Definition

Self-determination is the right of a people to freely determine their political, economic, social, and cultural development. It is a fundamental principle of international law that recognizes the inherent rights of indigenous groups to have control over their own affairs and to pursue their aspirations without external interference.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The principle of self-determination has been a key driver of the civil rights movements for indigenous groups, including Native Americans, Alaskans, and Hawaiians.
2. Self-determination allows indigenous groups to have a greater say in the decisions that affect their lands, resources, and way of life, rather than having policies dictated by the dominant society.
3. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) affirms the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination and to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.
4. The struggle for self-determination has often involved efforts to regain control over traditional lands, protect cultural practices, and assert sovereignty over internal affairs.
5. Successful examples of self-determination include the establishment of Native American reservations, the creation of the state of Alaska, and the recognition of Native Hawaiian sovereignty.

Review Questions

• Explain how the principle of self-determination has been a driving force behind the civil rights movements of indigenous groups in the United States.
  • The principle of self-determination has been central to the civil rights struggles of Native Americans, Alaskans, and Hawaiians. These groups have long sought to have greater control over their own political, economic, social, and cultural affairs, rather than having policies dictated by the dominant society. The desire for self-determination has motivated efforts to regain control over traditional lands, protect cultural practices, and assert sovereignty over internal affairs. This has led to the establishment of Native American reservations, the creation of the state of Alaska, and the recognition of Native Hawaiian sovereignty, all of which are examples of successful self-determination movements.
• Describe how the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) affirms the principle of self-determination for indigenous groups.
  • The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a significant international instrument that affirms the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination. UNDRIP recognizes the inherent rights of indigenous groups to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development without external interference. By establishing these rights, UNDRIP provides a framework for indigenous communities to have greater control over the decisions and policies that affect their lands, resources, and way of life. The recognition of self-determination in UNDRIP has been a crucial step in empowering indigenous groups to assert their sovereignty and work towards their aspirations.
• Analyze how the struggle for self-determination has shaped the civil rights movements and political status of Native Americans, Alaskans, and Hawaiians in the United States.
  • The principle of self-determination has been a driving force behind the civil rights movements of Native Americans, Alaskans, and Hawaiians in the United States. These groups have long sought to have greater control over their own political, economic, social, and cultural affairs, rather than having policies dictated by the dominant society. The desire for self-determination has motivated efforts to regain control over traditional lands, protect cultural practices, and assert sovereignty over internal affairs. This has led to the establishment of Native American reservations, the creation of the state of Alaska, and the recognition of Native Hawaiian sovereignty, all of which are examples of successful self-determination movements. The recognition of self-determination in international instruments like the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) has provided a crucial framework for these groups to assert their inherent rights and work towards their aspirations. The struggle for self-determination has been a defining feature of the civil rights movements of indigenous groups in the United States, shaping their political status and the ongoing efforts to achieve greater autonomy and control over their own affairs.

Related terms

Sovereignty: The supreme power or authority possessed by a state or community to govern itself independently.

Indigenous Rights: The rights of indigenous peoples to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, economic, social, and cultural characteristics, as well as their right to determine their own development in accordance with their own needs and aspirations.

Decolonization: The process by which a colony or a nation becomes independent of the colonizing country.