A Third Liberal Theory of Secession
Liverpool Law Review, Vol. 14, No. 1 (1992), 45-66.
16 Pages Posted: 25 May 2016
Date Written: March 1, 1992
Abstract
The present article is written in response to two articles that appeared previously in Political Studies on the topic of secession. Harry Beran's "A Liberal Theory of Secession" cites six cases that do not justify secession. Anthony H. Birch's "Another Liberal Theory of Secession" gives four cases that justify it. The present article concludes that secession is a right, not something one has to get permission for, and is always justified.
The Louw and Kendall model is applied to the political system in the United States to show how secession might work at the national, regional and local levels. The possibility of secession can be used to restrain overzealous politicians and can act as a safety valve to diffuse political unrest.
Keywords: secession, utilitarian, ethics, rights
JEL Classification: H77, D23, D72
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation