Doctrinal Reflections on the Concept of People in International Law

Abstract

The concept of people has been subject of a broad doctrinal debate on its elements during the last decades. Its links to the decolonization process and the evolution of the internal dimension of the principle of self-determination have reinforced the importance of the academic discussion. There is not a univocal meaning of the term people and the old question of "what is a people" is still very controversial for the International Law. This article examines most relevant doctrinal reflections on the elements and characteristics of the concept. The doctrinal analysis must be conceived as a preliminary task of great relevance for the later examination of the principle of self-determination.