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A Tale of Two "Nations"
According to international law, particularly the Montevideo Convention, a state must possess a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. While the UN generally recognizes these criteria, they also consider factors like effective control and the capacity to fulfill international obligations
A Tale of Two "Nations"
According to international law, particularly the Montevideo Convention, a state must possess a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. While the UN generally recognizes these criteria, they also consider factors like effective control and the capacity to fulfill international obligations
Now let us look at two such entities, one with overwhelming support by the International community and one denied this by the very same community.
We are speaking of course of Palestine and Taiwan.
Let's start with the former
We are speaking of course of Palestine and Taiwan.
Let's start with the former
PALESTINE
Let's agree that there is a permanent population. There is no defined border of such a state which is subject to a final agreement between ALL parties.
Does Palestine have a government? Well possibly not a democratic one but neither do most countries in the world.
Let's agree that there is a permanent population. There is no defined border of such a state which is subject to a final agreement between ALL parties.
Does Palestine have a government? Well possibly not a democratic one but neither do most countries in the world.
Let's put aside the fact that in direction contravention of its own constitution elections have not been held in 20 years.
Accepting that the PA "rules" in Judea and Samaria. There can be no argument that they have no effective government in Gaza and one would have to conclude that in the last elections Hamas won a decisive victory. So we either have an ineffective PA or alternatively we have two separate entities on of which is ruled by a proscribed terror entity.
Accepting that the PA "rules" in Judea and Samaria. There can be no argument that they have no effective government in Gaza and one would have to conclude that in the last elections Hamas won a decisive victory. So we either have an ineffective PA or alternatively we have two separate entities on of which is ruled by a proscribed terror entity.
TAIWAN
The question of a permanent population is undeniable
Its boundary are self explanatory.
It would be impossible to argue that it does not have an effective government
Taiwan's export-oriented economy is the 21st-largest in the world by nominal GDP and the 20th-largest by PPP measures, with a focus on steel, machinery, electronics, and chemicals manufacturing. Taiwan is a developed country.
It is ranked highly in terms of civil liberties, healthcare, and human development.
Yet no one is arguing for it to be recognised as an independent state and a full member of the United Nations.
The question of a permanent population is undeniable
Its boundary are self explanatory.
It would be impossible to argue that it does not have an effective government
Taiwan's export-oriented economy is the 21st-largest in the world by nominal GDP and the 20th-largest by PPP measures, with a focus on steel, machinery, electronics, and chemicals manufacturing. Taiwan is a developed country.
It is ranked highly in terms of civil liberties, healthcare, and human development.
Yet no one is arguing for it to be recognised as an independent state and a full member of the United Nations.
CONCLUSION
Palestine gets more vocal support because Muslim-majority countries amplify it and the world is enamoured of their oil and their petro-dollars, while Taiwan’s issue is muted by fear of China’s economic and military power.
International law and recognition often bend to geopolitics and alliances rather than pure principle—might and influence shape outcomes more than legal consistency.
The UN and global diplomacy reflect this messy reality, where votes and vetoes outweigh abstract fairness
Palestine gets more vocal support because Muslim-majority countries amplify it and the world is enamoured of their oil and their petro-dollars, while Taiwan’s issue is muted by fear of China’s economic and military power.
International law and recognition often bend to geopolitics and alliances rather than pure principle—might and influence shape outcomes more than legal consistency.
The UN and global diplomacy reflect this messy reality, where votes and vetoes outweigh abstract fairness
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