Sharing Territories: Overlapping Self-Determination and Resource Rights

Cara Nine defends a river model of territorial rights, arguing that groups are interdependent and overlapping, and that foundational territories should be established around geographical areas like rivers to manage spatially integrated areas where individuals cannot fulfil their natural obligations without collective rules.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Cara Nine presents a compelling argument for a river model of territorial rights in her book, Sharing Territories. According to this model, groups are interconnected and overlapping, rather than independent and distinct. Nine draws on natural law philosophy to advocate for the establishment of foundational territories around geographical areas such as rivers. These foundational territories, typically smaller-scale political entities, overlap with and serve as the basis for larger territorial units. Examples of foundational territories include river catchment areas and urban areas, which are defined by the collective responsibility of individuals to manage their surroundings. Foundational territorial authorities oversee spatially integrated areas where agents are interconnected through dense and structured physical circumstances. In these areas, individuals cannot fulfill their natural obligations to each other without the support of collective rules.

Nine's theory of nested and shared territorial rights emerges as a result of the overlap of foundational territories. She argues that these territories should be managed jointly, with resource rights allocated between political groups and individuals based on their respective responsibilities and contributions. Nine suggests that this approach can lead to more efficient and equitable resource use, as well as promote cooperation and peace among different groups.

One of the key insights of Nine's theory is that territorial rights should not be viewed solely in terms of land ownership or physical boundaries. Rather, they should be understood as the result of the collective efforts and responsibilities of individuals and groups within a specific geographical area. This perspective challenges the traditional notion of territorial sovereignty, which often emphasizes the exclusive control of territory by a single political entity.

Nine's river model of territorial rights offers a valuable framework for understanding and managing shared territories. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration, collective decision-making, and shared responsibility for the well-being and sustainability of the environment. By adopting a river-based approach to territorial rights, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable world, where different groups can live and thrive in harmony with each other and the natural world.

Weight: 648g
Dimension: 250 x 165 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198833628