The United States and Foreign Self-determination

Problems are realized when groups of small, autonomous countries try to create compatible economies. Because autonomous governments seek to affect many economic fundamentals within their countries, shared economic policy and goals are necessary. Creating compatible policies is extremely difficult when many autonomous governments are involved. Large, multiethnic states are much more adept to handle large, more efficient economies. Economists have stressed the beneficial efficiency of large-scale economies. United States support of self-determination abroad would have harmful effects on its own economy as well as on the global economy.

Self-determination once served an important and beneficial role in promoting justice through self-government; its usefulness and legitimacy are compromised by the hostility and devastation it now causes. Self-determinists seek the preservation and protection of their cultures and traditions. Separation into autonomous, homogenous states is not the answer to their culture crisis. Meanwhile, total assimilation within the larger national community is not the solution either. Ethnic groups seeking fragmentation should be able to flourish and contribute to the cultural mixture. These groups should seek to preserve their ethnic identity while still upholding the common, shared values that are embedded in their national identities. National community and democracy will function with the existence of multiple ethnic identities.

National unity need not compromise ethnic minority values; the United States continues to thrive despite its growing ethnic diversity. Facets of ethnic identity such as language should not pose problems to the national community. Some people argue that one national language will better serve to produce national unity, yet, in countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, and increasingly in the United States, multiple languages exist and the governments are still able to be responsive and sustain unity. While promoting the use of a common language may bolster national unity by aiding communication and community building, subgroups and minorities should not be discouraged from using and maintaining their own languages.

Because fragmentation by self-determinists is detrimental to democracy, the economy, and national culture, the United States should not support the demands for independent statehood abroad from ethnic minorities. Historically, self-determination movements occurred because of denial of responsive, democratic governments to minorities; today, their functions are not as clear and self-determinist movements are likely to cause much more harm than good.