Although the issue of self-determination is expressed in the dominant narrative as societies will decide and determine their own political, economic, social and similar futures, the expression and content of the concept as a result of the relationship established with the relations of production are transformed historically. In this article, it is claimed that the issue of self-determination has a meaning and content in the neoliberal period in a way that enables micro-nationalist formations to be given political powers by the imperialist states. However, in the article, it is argued that these micro-nationalist formations are also committed to transferring their collective wealth to the capitalist center and are giving up their sovereignty in favor of the imperialist capitalist center states by carrying the demand of the outside to the inside. The issue of self-determination has acquired different contents in connection with the dynamics of capital accumulation and the structure of global power relations in the global power relations of the 20th century. The question of self-determination is not a natural right. Micro-nationalism is one of the contents and practices of the issue of self-determination in the neoliberal era. To the extent that micro-nationalist formations use their social resources fort he benefit of imperialist states, their so-called claims of independence are supported.
Self-Determination The Nation-State Sovereignty Micro-Nationalism The Weakest Link Theory
The historical transformation of the content and application of the issue of self-determination as a result of the dynamics of capital accumulation, the effect of relations established with production relations, and the structure of global politics reveals the actuality of the issue. While the issue of self-determination acquires different contents in connection with the structure of global power relations in the 20th century, the necessity of examining the concept can always be considered as a current effort, since its legal and sociological definiton and application are also changing. On the other hand, the examination of the issue is always up-to-date as it is an effort to express the political economy dimension of the debates in which concepts such as “micro-nationalist movements”, “wars of freedom”, “terrorism” and “sovereignty” are used.
With the article, it is claimed that the issue of self-determination has a meaning and content in a way that will enable micro-nationalist formations to be given political powers by the imperialist states in the current neoliberal period. On the other hand, micro-nationalist formations undertake to transfer their collective wealth to the capitalist center and relinquish their sovereignty in favor of the imperialist capitalist center states by carrying the demands of the outside inside. In this context, the article states that the content of the issue of self-determination has been transformed in the neoliberal period, and as can be seen in the example of the micro-nationalist formations in Syria, it has taken on a content in a way that will serve the achievement of certain interests by these formations in return for giving up their collective natural wealth in favor of the capitalist central states, using their sovereignty within the borders drawn for them, and similar situations. It is claimed that they are the object of politics and that they have given up their sovereignty at this point.
According to liberal views, self-determination can be asserted as a natural right. According to liberalism, the right to self-determiantion is one of the universal human rights and is considered a fundamental right that every individual is born with. This right applies to all people and does not depend on time or place. In liberal democracies, the right of individuals and communities to self-determination is realized through democratic processes.
According to Marxist views, the concept of self-determination is handled in relation to the relations of production. According to Marxist theory, society is based on class struggle. This struggle between the working class and the bourgeoisie plays a decisive role in the control of the means of production and the distribution of social resources. Marxists oppose the forms of inequality and exploitation produced by capitalist systems, such as imperialism and colonialism. In this context, the issue of self-determination is closely linked to the struggles of colonial peoples and dependent classes to achieve their freedom.
It has been concluded that the concept of micro-nationalism is in use in relation to the issue of self-determination in the neoliberal period. The concept of micro-nationalism is ideologically understood as the nation-building project of smaller communities within a state. In this regard, it has been determined that not only the concept of micro-nationalism, but also concepts such as democratic autonomy, multiculturalism, freedom for locals, strong local governments, pluralistic democracy, demand for respect for identities, and regionalism with similar goals are in use.
Determining the relationship between imperialism and micro-nationalism is another important issue in terms of the study. Imperialism is able to create a fabricated history for different ethnic, religious, cultural and political formations that will benefit it in the process of expanded reproduction of capital. Through these fabricated discourses, it is seen that these social formations attempt to separate from the nation-states in which they are located. The main reason for this is the complete dominance of international capital in local markets.
