Another Liberal Theory of Secession
| Published date | 01 December 1984 |
| Date | 01 December 1984 |
| Author | Anthony H. Birch |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1467-9248.1984.tb01548.x |
| Subject Matter | Article |
Political Srudies
(1984),
XXXII,
596-602
Debate
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Another Liberal
Theory
of
Secession
ANTHONY
H.
BIRCH
University
of
Victoria, British Columbia
Harry Beran’s contention that secession is a somewhat neglected topic in political
theory is accepted but his ‘liberal theory
of
secession’ is criticized and found wanting.
An alternative theory is proposed, based on the assumption that secession from a
liberal democratic state cannot be justified unless special circumstances exist. Four
special circumstances are suggested and the practical consequences
of
adopting this
approach are then outlined.
Harry Beran’s paper on
‘A
Liberal Theory
of
Secession” advances some very
interesting ideas on an important topic which, as he notes, has been largely
neglected by modern political theorists. Beran has presented
a
theory which sets
out the normative principles bearing on the permissibility of secession from
liberal democracies. His assumptions are highly liberal in character, including
an acceptance
of
freedom as an ultimate moral and political value, an
acceptance of popular sovereignty and the consent of the governed as the
only proper basis of political authority,2 and
a
belief in the value of majority
rule. His conclusion is that any territorially concentrated group should be
permitted to secede
if
a
majority within the area wish to do
so
and
if
secession is
‘morally and practically p~ssible’.~ Beran’s position, that
is,
involves a
presumption in favour of the right of secession, whether or not this is regarded
as desirable by the majority in the larger state.
No
special circumstances are
needed beyond the will of the majority in the region concerned.
I
Harry Beran,
‘A
Liberal Theory of Secession’,
Polifical
Studies,
32
(1984).
2
Beran,
‘A
Liberal Theory
of
Secession’, pp.
25-6.
3
Beran,
‘A
Liberal Theory
of
Secession’, p.
30.
0032-3217/84/04/0596-07/$03.00
0
1984
Political
Studies
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