Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedWill Kosovo inspire other independence movements worldwide?
Results so far:
| Yes | 63% | 146 votes | Total: 230 votes | |
| No | 37% | 84 votes |
Yes
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesKosovo's bid for independence is based upon the fact that all but a small minority of its citizens are Albanian, with that minority being Serbian. Thus in essence it is resting its case on ethnic grounds. However, one has to question whether such a stance can be justified in a globalised world where diversity of population is becoming the norm rather than the exception as a result of migration.
According to Sergei Lavrov, who was speaking on Russia FM radio in January 2008, granting Kosovo independence from Serbia would have serious implications for a number of states world-wide that are seeking self-rule, which he numbered at around 200 including some within the former communist and Balkan states. Protesting that this bid for independence breaches existing international laws on territory, Lavrov claims that it opens the door to a situation where the UN will be forced to "give (almost) anything to anyone or state."
US diplomats, whose country supports Kosovo's bid for independence, deny this as scare mongering, claiming that their decision to support independence in this one instance is simply that, a one off concession, and that the US would not take the same step with any future move of a similar nature. Yet in reality the US position is unsustainable for two main reasons.
Firstly, as many expert observers have pointed out, one of the fundamental elements of international law is the force of precedent and, by granting the wishes of the Kosovo people for independence, this will form a founding precedent for those provinces in other areas of the world seeking self-rule now or in the future. Secondly, international law has evolved on the basic principle of fairness. Justice in this respect is in the hands of the scales of balance. What is fair for one has to be fair for all for the judicial system to work. Therefore no individual country, including the US, can unilaterally make the statement that these diplomats have and expect their view to take precedence over the rule of law.
For these reasons the impact of granting Kosovo independence does provide a spur for pro-self-rule provinces to follow their lead. This action could result in similar demands being made by other areas of the world where conflict related to selfrule is taking place. These include other Balkan provinces as well as many in the Middle East, which includes such countries as Iraq, and the far eastern regions of Taiwan and Tibet.
Furthermore, the pro-self-rule provinces are not confined sole to the areas of the world that are experiencing conflict. For evidence of this one only has to look at the United Kingdom, where the people of Scotland and Wales are peacefully but steadfastly inching their way towards self-rule. If Kosovo wins independence, these countries could use this a precedent to achieve their objective swiftly and without bloodshed, dismantling the United Kingdom in the process. This begs the question, what is to stop provinces of other peaceful nations from following this lead? Using this logic one then has to look at the US itself. With some provinces and states many time zones removed from Washington and culturally significantly different, is it not possible that people within these areas might consider removing themselves from the Union at some time in the future?
It is easy to conclude that one of the main reasons behind the US and other western nations support for the Kosovo bid was that it was a move designed to ensure the further weakening of the Russian power grip in the region. Despite its fall from superpower status, memories of the Russia of the past still tend to interfere with the logic of sound judgement, as this situation demonstrates. However, as has been suggested, the penalty for an incorrect judgement in this case could have serious future repercussions for the stability of provinces within those supporting countries, as it provides an opportunity for pro-self-rule movements to exploit.
Learn more about this author, Paul Lines.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
No
Independence should be based on the freedom to practice a form of government that helps all ethnicities present reach a united goal. Kosovo's independence will come at a time when independence is unquestionably on the minds of many provinces looking for ways to achieve their own goals. However, many provinces will not be so eager to jump into this paradise of independence due to the diversity that makes up our world and the world's economic situations.
It is evident that in all provinces, nations, and countries, there is a majority and a minority. Kosovo has a majority of Muslim Albanians and Christian Serbians. As a result of this unavoidable fact, the majority is most likely to win the battle for the power seat. Furthermore, whenever a majority takes power, the minority rises up and refuses to acknowledge those powers. Kosovo's independence will probably be like people who have crashed on a deserted island and must figure out a way to govern themselves effectively. As a matter-of-fact, many provinces are waiting to see if Kosovo's independence will be the instigator for yet another battle between ethnic groups.
In the twenty-first century, there is no peace evident anywhere on earth. If there is a place conflict is not present, there is a cataclysm waiting to happen. Most nations know that if Kosovo is granted independence, it will be a catastrophe because besides ethnicity, there is also a conflict of religious traditions. The Christian Serbians are expected to rise up against the independence from Serbia due to the fact that they come from Serbia and that as a province of Serbia, most Serbians would be protected from harm. Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration if Kosovo's independence resulted in a holy war. Consequently, it will have probably deterred and discouraged many other provinces seeking independence.
Even if other provinces do not have a significant amount of ethnic diversity, there will be different groups whose beliefs about the independence of a province will differ from others. These provinces are likely to ponder on whether the independence of a province is worth the death of ideals, valuable opinions, and freedom of speech to achieve a robotic form of government. Another point that should be considered is the economic status of Kosovo. It has no doubt been depending on Serbia for some of its capital income, so there will be some problems facing Kosovo as soon as they cut off Serbia. Kosovo and other provinces must take into consideration whether they as independent nations are ready to join the global economy.
Many nations also claim that this rise in independence seeking provinces and states will result in increase of debt for these newborn nations. It comes down to whether Kosovo or any other provinces are ready to leave their parent nations to face the real world of economic downturns. In this century, economic downturns are as regular and as destructive as ethnic wars. The provinces willing to fight for independence need and want a certified guarantee that promises full independence with no conflict or economic stress. Unfortunately, there is none available in this century.
While Kosovo's independence may turn out to be successful, it will spur doubts in the minds of provinces such as Quebec. Most provinces will forego of the doubts introduced, but others will consider the potential problems in the long run. It is evident that the ethnicity that makes our world a unique ecosystem also hinders humans' desires for everlasting independence. Freedom is a beautiful concept and it is what many nations are made of, but it should not come at the cost of multiethnic peace, something that is sorely needed in our society today.
Learn more about this author, Nancy Adossi.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
- International Politics (Other)
- Is Russia under Vladimir Putin a democracy?
- Is a Single World Government the way forward?
- Should Alaska be an independent country?
- Are developing countries better served by male or female leaders?
- Should the US government restrict trade with China over safety issues with Chinese products?
