Abstract

In international history the definition of „self-determination“ has a dynamic as well as a regulating effect. The main question of the paper is: Does self-determination mean that groups are owners of special collective or group rights, or does it mean that universal human rights are guaranteed as rights which every human individual as to the same extent? Does guaranteeing universal human rights suffice for reach or maintaining peace? To answer this question, it will be necessary to look at the origin of the idea of self-determination. Therefore we will analyse the points of view of Kant, Hegel, Rawls and Taylor; than their view will be compared with the guarantee of the right of self-determination in the UN-Charta and contrasted with the reality of national minorities in different states in the European Union.