Internal Democracy and International Law

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to describe the protection and promotion -as well as the grey zones and contradictions- of internal democracy within the international legal system. Firstly, we deal with the relationship between the internal and external (the right to secession) dimensions of self-determination. Secondly, we study the interaction between the internal and international perspectives as far as democracy is concerned: international law certainly promotes liberal regimes within countries but, at the same time, it may distort democratic principles through the erosion of sovereignty and due to the normative and institutional weaknesses of international law itself. Thirdly, we describe the historic evolution, mainly since the end of the Cold War, of democratic entitlement. The fourth section focuses on the ambiguous, dynamic, manipulated and virtuous concept of democracy, and some interrelated notions. Next, we examine the indefinite scope, actors and actions of international cooperation inspired by and oriented towards democracy. Finally, we analyze the current and disquieting assault of authoritatian regimes to liberal democracy.