The struggle for independence in East Timor, which came to fruition in 1999, illustrates both that agency can be exercised in ways that change social structures and that changing structural relations ...are necessary for the effective exercise of agency. This paper presents a basic Marxist theoretical framework for analysing structural power, contrasting this with the understanding of structure developed by structurationists. It then examines the Timorese independence struggle at two crucial turning points, showing how differing structural contexts enabled different outcomes at those turning points.
The end of colonialism in Africa, and the establishment of the independent states, was reached variously through peaceful ways or violent ones. In the Guinean case, the establishment of the ...nation-state was made possible by the development of an armed struggle for national liberation, in which the Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC) played a crucial role. The victories that were achieved in the Guinean territory were largely possible due to the diplomatic efforts requested by the PAIGC representatives. The exhaustive information sent throughout these years to the United Nations Committee on Decolonisation, and the presence of PAIGC representatives in international organisations, contributed to the positive evolution of the liberation struggle. The aim of the present article is to analyse the manner and the context in which the PAIGC obtained international support and its significance for the process of self-determination in Guinea-Bissau.
The end of colonialism in Africa, and the establishment of the independent states, was reached variously through peaceful ways or violent ones. In the Guinean case, the establishment of the ...nation-state was made possible by the development of an armed struggle for national liberation,
in which the Partido Africano da Independncia da Guin e Cabo Verde (PAIGC) played a crucial role. The victories that were achieved in the Guinean territory were largely possible due to the diplomatic efforts requested by the PAIGC representatives. The exhaustive information sent throughout
these years to the United Nations Committee on Decolonisation, and the presence of PAIGC representatives in international organisations, contributed to the positive evolution of the liberation struggle. The aim of the present article is to analyse the manner and the context in which the PAIGC
obtained international support and its significance for the process of self-determination in Guinea-Bissau.
After decades of sanguineous struggle for political and economic self-determination, the peoples of South Sudan eventually voted en masse for the emergence of the newest African state: the Republic ...of Southern Sudan. Beyond the euphoria of national liberation, however, this article traces similar experiences in the assertion of self-determination and how their dynamics could relate to post-liberation Southern Sudan. It is argued that beneath the broadly unifying theme of 'national' resistance to northern oppression lies more complex and ongoing struggles over the ownership and control of core historical narratives, identities, symbols and resources. Despite the pervasive ambience of fear, scepticism and caution in which Southern Sudan will ultimately emerge as a full-fledged sovereign state in July 2011, this article highlights certain variables that could turn out to be the lessons for and from this embryonic state. While not failing to point to the inherent frailties of this new state, this article strongly canvasses the collaboration of internal and external forces in turning Southern Sudan's challenges and opportunities into veritable vehicles for making this entity a successful African story in post-independence nationbuilding and development as well as a unique contribution to self-determination discourses in an atmosphere of sustainable peace and prosperity.
The end of colonialism in Africa, and the establishment of the independent states, was reached variously through peaceful ways or violent ones. In the Guinean case, the establishment of the ...nation-state was made possible by the development of an armed struggle for national liberation, in which the Partido Africano da Independencia da Guine e Cabo Verde (PAIGC) played a crucial role. The victories that were achieved in the Guinean territory were largely possible due to the diplomatic efforts requested by the PAIGC representatives. The exhaustive information sent throughout these years to the United Nations Committee on Decolonisation, and the presence of PAIGC representatives in international organizations, contributed to the positive evolution of the liberation struggle. The aim of the present article is to analyze the manner and the context in which the PAIGC obtained international support and its significance for the process of self-determination in Guinea-Bissau. Adapted from the source document.
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