Book

Self-Determination and Sovereignty in Disputed Territories examines the complex relationship between self-determination, sovereignty, natural resources and international law. It asks a fundamental legal question: who has the authority to determine the economic destiny of a territory when its sovereignty remains contested? The book argues that natural resources in disputed territories cannot be treated simply as ordinary commercial assets. Resource exploitation may affect the economic capacity of a population, environmental conditions, long-term contractual obligations and the future exercise of self-determination. Drawing on international jurisprudence and comparative analysis of Western Sahara, Palestine, East Timor and Cyprus, the book examines territorial status, legal authority, meaningful participation, benefit-sharing, environmental protection, reversibility and the responsibilities of States, corporations and third parties. A central contribution is its proposed framework of international resource stewardship, which seeks to distinguish legitimate economic development from activities that may entrench contested territorial control or prejudice future political choices. The book ultimately proposes a balanced approach: neither unrestricted exploitation nor complete economic paralysis, but responsible, participatory, transparent and sustainable resource governance under international law.