Reading of the Foreword

IV

The principle of self-determination

We acknowledge today the principles of freedom and unity and that of self-determination of the people and nations. And this acknowledgement comes in the framework of life drawn together by the spirit of internationalism, by the values of comradeship and brotherhood an increasing oneness where we cannot deny to others things that we claim for ourselves. But this acknowledgement has remained in the realm of ideas and not so much in practice. "The acknowledgement of them is there in the human mind, but not as yet any settled will to practice." (CWSA 25, pg.603)

The principle of self-determination is not an illusory idea unless we choose to make it so. Of course, self-determination like all other principles in the life of the collectivity cannot stand isolated by itself and cannot be relegated as the one and only rule to be followed for then it would lose much of its virtue. There are arguably many great difficulties in applying the principle effectively. "Moreover, individual self-determination must harmonise with a common self-determination, freedom must move in the frame of unity or towards the realisation of a free unity". (Ibid) Nevertheless, the principle of self-determination is a great idea evolved in a revealing moment and needs to be accepted and worked out. It needs to be implemented without delay but is being resisted by governments of the world. "The natural result is that things are being worked out in the old way with a new name or at the most with some halting change and partial improvement of the method". (Ibid, pg.604)

Date of Update: 29-Jul-25