The Sovereignty Dispute Over the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands (Malvinas Islands)

The complex question of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands remains far from resolved, even after the military and political events that took place from April to June 1982. The first scholarly work of its kind, this broad and dispassionate study of the causes of the South Atlantic war between Britain and Argentina addresses the larger issues raised by the Falkland crisis and untangles a web of events and attitudes that stretch back over the past century. The book begins with a close evaluation of the two pivotal arguments: Argentina's stance that international law supports their historical right to the islands, and Britain's position that the length of their occupation of the Falklands, together with the principles of self-determination, legalized their de facto control. Gustafson then discusses how potential off-shore oil reserves, diplomacy, domestic politics, and the use of force entered into the sovereignty dispute; analyzes the effects of war on international relations; and considers possible future approaches to handling the dispute.--Publisher description.

The complex question of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands remains far from resolved, even after the military and political events that took place from April to June 1982. The first scholarly work of its kind, this broad and dispassionate study of the causes of the South Atlantic war between Britain and Argentina addresses the larger issues raised by the Falkland crisis and untangles a web of events and attitudes that stretch back over the past century. The book begins with a close evaluation of the two pivotal arguments: Argentina's stance that international law supports their historical right to the islands, and Britain's position that the length of their occupation of the Falklands, together with the principles of self-determination, legalized their de facto control. Gustafson then discusses how potential off-shore oil reserves, diplomacy, domestic politics, and the use of force entered into the sovereignty dispute; analyzes the effects of war on international relations; and considers possible future approaches to handling the dispute.

Contents......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1 Historical Rights......Page 18 2 Self-Determination and British Sovereignty......Page 52 3 Two Principles of Self-Determination......Page 70 4 Sovereignty Redefined: Oil and the Falklands Dispute......Page 96 5 Sovereignty and the External Causes of the War......Page 134 6 Sovereignty and the Internal Causes of the War......Page 158 7 The Effect and the Future of the Falklands Conflict......Page 192 Notes......Page 224 Books......Page 252 Government Publications......Page 261 Current Journals and Newspapers......Page 262 Recent Articles......Page 263 League of Nations Documents......Page 268 United Nations Documents......Page 269 B......Page 276 F......Page 277 G......Page 278 J......Page 279 P......Page 280 S......Page 281 U......Page 282 Y......Page 283 This broad and dispassionate study of the causes of the conflict between the UK and Argentina in 1982 addresses the larger issues raised, evaluating the rival arguments, how the war has affected international relations, and prospects for a long-term solution.