Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Political Science

Supervisor

Armstrong, David

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the concept of external legitimacy and its implications for de facto states in the international system. Previous research on state recognition has primarily relied on United Nations recognition as a binary measure, neglecting the nuanced variation in the external legitimacy of de facto states. To address this gap, this study introduces a new External Legitimacy Dataset and develops a comprehensive measure of external legitimacy. Using this dataset, the study demonstrates the utility of the measure by providing latent estimates for 31 de facto states and predicting violence based on their level of external legitimacy. The results indicate significant variation between and within de facto states, emphasizing the importance of capturing this variation to understand the dynamics between de facto states, international organizations, and UN member states. Furthermore, the study identifies the key factors that determine the external legitimacy of de facto states, including regime type, international organization membership, recognition by a UN member state, Great Power support, territorial claims, and the presence of separatist movements in a region. To gain insights into the strategic choices made by de facto states in their pursuit of international recognition and domestic stability, the study conducts 35 semi-structured elite interviews with government officials from Somaliland and Kosovo. These interviews highlight the strategies employed by these states and the challenges they face in balancing recognition and survival. The findings reveal that both states invest heavily in security, socioeconomic development, and internal governance structures to ensure their survival. They also rely on informal diplomacy, regional organization integration, and strategic alignment with the West to gain external legitimacy. The research contributes to the field of international relations by providing a comprehensive understanding of the international conditions that influence the external legitimacy of de facto states. It emphasizes the need for more nuanced measures of statehood and recognition, and the importance of considering the interplay between external legitimacy and domestic stability. The dissertation sheds light on the complex dynamics of de facto states in the international system, offering valuable insights into the strategies and challenges faced by these states in their pursuit of recognition and survival.

Summary for Lay Audience

In this research, I investigate the concept of external legitimacy and how it affects de facto states in the international system. De facto states are territories that function as independent states but are not recognized by the United Nations. Previous studies have mainly focused on UN recognition to capture their external relations, but my study introduces a new External Legitimacy dataset to capture the different levels of external legitimacy among de facto states. Using this dataset, I analyze the external legitimacy of 31 de facto states and its relationship with violence. The results show that there is significant variation in external legitimacy within and between de facto states. This highlights the complexities of their interactions with international organizations and UN member states. I identify several key factors that influence the external legitimacy of de facto states, such as the type of government, membership in international organizations, recognition by a UN member state, support from major powers, territorial claims, and the presence of separatist movements in the region. To gain further insights, I conducted interviews with government officials from Somaliland and Kosovo, two de facto states. These interviews reveal the strategies employed by these states to balance their pursuit of recognition and survival. They heavily invest in security, socioeconomic development, and internal governance structures to ensure their survival. They also use informal diplomacy, integration with regional organizations, and alignment with Western countries to gain external legitimacy. This research contributes to the field of international relations by providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the external legitimacy of de facto states. It emphasizes the importance of considering nuanced measures of statehood and recognition, going beyond a simple binary approach. The study also highlights the interplay between external legitimacy and domestic stability. Overall, this research expands our knowledge of the international conditions that shape the external legitimacy of de facto states.

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