Dr Visoka publishes new book on withdrawal of recognition for states
Although a great deal is known about the recognition of states, less is known about the practice of derecognition of states, namely why and how states withdraw the recognition of other contested and partially recognized states. While international law provides clearer guidelines for recognition, there is no established framework governing derecognition. The 'Derecognition of States' addresses this ambiguity.
Dr Gëzim Visoka said
"Scholars remain divided on whether sovereignty can be “undone” through derecognition, with declarative theorists arguing that statehood remains intact regardless of recognition, while constitutive theorists argue that sovereignty is dependent on diplomatic recognition. Recognition and derecognition are highly political and discretionary acts rather than strictly legal determinations.”
Dr Visoka’s book examines the meaning, processes, rationales, and effects of derecognition, arguing that recognition of statehood is not necessarily permanent and can be strategically reversed for political, economic, and geopolitical reasons.
It covers five aspects of the process including its legal and normative ambiguities, its implementation as a political and strategic act, its destabilising and isolating effects, how it undermines the international order, and how it should be regulated to prevent its arbitrary use.
To illustrate these points, Dr Visoka draws on a range of case studies including China’s campaign against Taiwan, Serbia’s offensive against Kosovo, and Morocco’s strategy regarding Western Sahara demonstrate how derecognition is wielded as a foreign policy tool.
Finally, he makes the case that it falls to multilateral institutions, such as the UN, the African Union, and the European Union, to create clearer guidelines on recognition and derecognition to reduce political manipulation. An international legal framework should be established to regulate derecognition, preventing its misuse for coercive diplomatic and economic purposes and ensuring international relations remain stable.
The book is highly praised by peer scholars as ground-breaking and is considered an essential reading in diplomatic studies and international relations.