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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Unrecognised States in the International System
Module Code LG367 (ITS) / POL1047 (Banner)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School Law & Government
Module Co-ordinator-
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

The world map is deceptively complete, with all territories neatly assigned to respective governments. There are, however, regions which disrupt this outward picture of stability. Unrecognised states have achieved de facto independence but have not secured international recognition. Put simply they are states that, legally, do not exist. They continue in legal limbo, and are not only an academic curiosity but often a threat to regional stability. Using both theory and case studies to comprehend the phenomenon of unrecognised states in the international system this course will provide a comprehensive introduction to this topical yet unexplored subject. The course will enable students to understand the dynamics of domestic politics in the unrecognised states and to understand how they have survived politically and economically. They course will also investigate the actions and strategies of key regional actors that have a vital interest in the destiny of the de facto states.

Learning Outcomes

1. critically assess the major themes, debates, developments, and structures relevant to unrecognised states
2. determine the dynamics of domestic and foreign policy formulation in the de facto states
3. recognise key factors behind ethnic and national divisions within the de facto states and with the states from which they have seceded
4. assess the viability and political systems of unrecognised states
5. evaluate the influence of external forces on the de facto states



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture22No Description
Independent Study103No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

• 1. Theorizing Unrecognized States: Sovereignty, Secessionism, and Political Economy
a) anomalies in the international system, b) failed states and contested territories, c) insurgent states, black spots, states-within-states d) definition and diversity of cases, e) ideology and strategic interests f) territorial integrity, g) secessionist war and state breakdown

• 2. Unrecognized States, International Organisations and Globalization
a) state building through self-reliance, b) state building and globalisation c) pressures resulting from non-recognition d) "engagement with recognition"

• 3. Conflict and Security in Unrecognised States
a) security implications of non-recognition b) relations with "parent" state, c)relationship between security and recognition d) risks from territories outside effective control, e) risks of renewed warfare, f) conflict resolution efforts

• 4. Internal Sources of Unrecognised State-Building
a) Ensuring coercive control b) Avoiding infighting warlords, c) Building effective legitimate entities

• 5. Patron States and External Sources of Unrecognised State-Building
a) external patrons, b) diaspora populations, c)transborder linkages, d) from territorial control to effective entities

• 6. Domestic Politics and Elections in Unrecognised States
a) Presidential administrations, b) legislatures and assemblies c) local government, d) political parties e) dynamics of electoral politics, f) central election commissions and international observers

• 7. The Politics of Diplomatic Recognition
a) evolving strategies for creating internationally acceptable entities, b) relations with other unrecognised states, c) engagement with international organisations and institutions

• 8. Historical Case Studies
Ireland 1919-22, Bougainville (1975-97), Chechnya (1991-, 1996-9), Eritrea (1991-93), Gagauzia (1991-4), Kurdish Autonomous Region (1991-2004), Montenegro (2000-6), Republika Srpska (1992-5), Republika Srpska Krajina (1991-5), Tamil Eelam (1986-2009)

• 9. Case Studies: Africa/Middle East
North Cyprus, Palestine, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Somaliland

• 10. Case Studies: Eurasia
Kosovo, Taiwan, Transnistria

• 11. Case Studies: South Caucasus
Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentResearch Paper100%
Indicative Reading List

  • Nina Caspersen: 2011, Unrecognised States: The Struggle for Sovereignty in the Modern International System., Polity, London, 074565343X
  • Nina Caspersen and Gareth Stansfield (eds.): 2010, Unrecognized States in the International System, Routledge, London, 0415582105
  • Tozun Bahcheli, Barry Bartmann and Henry Srebrnik (eds): 0, De facto states: The Quest for Sovereignty, Routledge, London, 0714654760
  • Dov Lynch: 2004, Engaging Eurasia's separatist states, United States Institue of Peace Press, Washington, D.C., 1929223544
  • Scott Pegg: 1999, International Society and the De Facto State, Ashgate, 1840144785
Other Resources

None

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