The Coming of the Micro-States by Fred Weir
This author claims that the declaration of Montenegro an independent state in 2006 triggered other stateless territories to demand their sovereignty and separation from their mother nations and named Kosovo, South Ossetia and Transdniestria as some of those that were already planning to do so.
He claims that the international community has offered the right to self-determination for ethnic minorities and this could reignite frozen conflicts in states that had gained de facto independence. He claims that this move may expose countries to ethnic violence as was witnessed in East Timor and rebel statelets and it was not likely that the international community would accept Kosovo’s request for independence.
He adds that Dmitri Suslov presented that if Kosovo’s request is granted this will fragment the global order and lead to the formation of many ethnic states that are not viable. Moreover, he claims that Russia is in the forefront of backing the formation of ethnic states in Yugoslavia but reluctant to grant Chechnya its sovereignty. This will also promote unequal freedom in most states like Kosovo, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
He adds that Russia supported the formation of smaller states after the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, the international community has become very strong in its quest to ensure territorial integrity is respected. The breakaway entities seem to side with the western powers and this is a serious threat to Russia since its power in the region will be minimized.
He highlights the need for Russia to address the problem facing Abkhazia and South Ossetia and the importance of respecting the sovereignty of Kosovo as a sovereign state. He concludes that the international community should not recognize Moscow–supported statelets because this will provoke Russia to fuel endless conflicts in the region.
Pacific Island Micro-States and Global Politics by Graham Hassall
This author argues that political discrimination occurs in social position and geographical circumstances that force communities living in a region to be bypassed while drawing attention to the major land masses like the Asia-Pacific and Pacific Rim regions.
He claims that some of the nations located in this region disempowered themselves starting from their names and gives examples of Cook, Marshall, Solomon and Pitcairn that do not come from local histories but colonial explorers.
He presents that most independent pacific island states do not have human resources to allow them participate in global politics and that is why they do not have powers to influence decisions regarding international trade and the Law of the Sea.
He adds that activists from these regions are given no prominence in global matters and that is why their presence in world matters like the World Social Forum is insignificant. He claims that this region is economically marginalized because of its small population and limited natural resources and this increases its balance of payments.
The traditions of this region (Polynesian, Micronesian and Melanesian) have never been recognized at the international level and there are fears that they may be swallowed by globalization. The rising sea levels threaten most pacific islands and this exposes this region to other environmental challenges like deforestation, unsustainable fishing and exhaustion of renewable energy.
He claims that civil societies in this region are advancing and protecting the environment without support from the international community. However, regionalism empowered the Pacific Islands in international affairs to ensure the place of this region in the global scene is recognized and appreciated.
He concludes that Pacific Islanders should evaluate the appropriateness of global forces in advancing their interests. Moreover, he sums his argument by claiming that other regions should stop discriminating against this region to ensure its experiences are open to them.