Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Because the recognition process can be considered arbitrary, it creates uncertainty regarding what factors are actually applied or actualised in recognition practice. What determines whether a state recognises a de facto state and thereby admits it to the international community?
This thesis examines the factors that influence sovereign states' propensity to recognise de facto states as independent states. More specifically, it examines, with support from Bridget Coggins' theoretical dimensions, how geopolitical proximity, formal alliances, colonial history, and democratic and social stability influence the likelihood of de facto state recognition.
By testing these theoretical dimensions, this study contributes to the knowledge regarding the partial recognition of de facto states, which, with their de facto status, are in an international limbo.
The aim was concretised by asking the following research questions:
1) Which external factors have the greatest impact on the attainment of international recognition for de facto states?
2) What external factors may hinder the international recognition of de facto states?
Thus, the case in this study is the sovereign states of the international system. To illustrate the recognition propensity of sovereign states in the international system, three de facto states will be used for exemplification: Western Sahara, Palestine, and Kosovo.
Two methods of analysis were used to answer the research questions: descriptive statistics and logistic regression.
The results show that formal alliances with great powers tend to influence states’ propensity to recognise a de facto state. If a great power in which a state is allied recognises a de facto state, the state in question will also recognise the de facto state, and vice versa. The other factors studied did not appear to increase or decrease the likelihood of recognition.
2025. , p. 50