Title Page
ABSTRACT
Contents
Chapter I: Introduction 10
1.1. Introduction 10
1.1.1. The Legal Basis of the Independence Referendum 12
1.1.2. The Development of Contemporary Independence Referendum 15
1.2. Scope of Dissertation 21
1.3. Methodology 22
Chapter II: The Overview of referendum from the perspective of territorial separation 23
2.1. Connotation of Referendum from the Perspective of Territorial Separation 23
2.1.1. Definition of Referendum 23
2.1.2. Territorial Separation in International Law 25
2.1.3. The Referendum from the Perspective of Territorial Separation 29
2.2. Theoretical Basis of Referendum from the Perspective of Territorial Separation 32
2.2.1. The International Law Basis for Independence Referendum 32
2.2.2. The Domestic Law Basis for Independence Referendum 40
2.2.3. Theoretical Disputes of the Specific Standards 44
2.3. conclusion 46
Chapter III: Case Analysis of Referendum from the Perspective of Territorial Separation 48
3.1. Theoretical Disputes and Standards on Legality of Independence Referendum 48
3.1.1. The legitimate Justifications 50
3.1.2. Expression of the Citizen's liberty 53
3.1.3. Authoritative and Effective Supervision 55
3.2. Case Analysis :The Scottish Referendum 59
3.2.1. The Legal justifications 61
3.2.2. Expression of the Citizen's liberty 62
3.2.3. Authoritative and Effective Supervision 66
3.3. Case Analysis: The Catalonia Referendum 67
3.3.1. The Legal justifications 68
3.3.2. Expression of the Citizen's liberty 72
3.3.3. Authoritative and Effective Supervision 74
3.4. Conclusion 74
Chapter IV: Problems in The Referendum from the Perspective of Territorial Separation 76
4.1. The Number of Illegal Referendums 76
4.1.1. No Legitimate Justifications In Independence Referendums 79
4.1.2. Expression of Citizen's Liberty 82
4.1.3. Lack of Authority and Effective Supervision 83
4.2. The Confusion Between the Right of Secession and National Self-Determination 86
4.2.1. The Right of National Self-Determination 87
4.2.2. The Right of Secession 90
4.2.3. Distinctions Between the Right of Self-Determination and Secession 93
4.3. The Impact of The Right of Remedial Secession 95
4.3.1. The Right of Remedial Secession 95
4.3.2. Remedial Secession and Treaty Law 99
4.3.3. Remedial Secession and International Customary Law 100
4.4. Conclusion 102
Chapter V: Future Development on the Legality of Independence Referendum 105
5.1. Establishment of Relevant International Law Rules 106
5.1.1. Clarification of Applicable Premise of the Independence Referendum 106
5.1.2. Clarification of the Subject and Scope of Application of Referendum 111
5.1.3. Clarification of Procedural Rules of Independence Referendum 113
5.2. Perfection on Norms of Authoritative International Organization 116
5.2.1. The Improvement of Remedial Secession in United Nations 116
5.2.2. Strengthening on the Supervision of International Organizations 118
5.3. Coordination with Principle of National Sovereignty 121
5.4. Promoting Domestic Law of the Independence Referendum 124
Chapter VI: Conclusion 127
REFERENCES 130