“The right of self-determination of the peoples includes the right to a state of their own. However, the foundation of a state does not increase the freedom of a people. The system of the United Nations that is based on nation-states has remained inefficient. Meanwhile, nation-states have become serious obstacles for any social development. Democratic confederalism is the contrasting paradigm of the oppressed people. Democratic confederalism is a non-state social paradigm. It is not controlled by a state. At the same time, democratic confederalism is the cultural organizational blueprint of a democratic nation. Democratic confederalism is based on grassroots participation. Its decision-making processes lie with the communities. Higher levels only serve the coordination and implementation of the will of the communities that send their delegates to the general assemblies. For limited space of time they are both mouthpiece and executive institution. However, the basic power of decision rests with the local grassroots institutions.”

Source: Prison Writings: Roots of Civilisation, excerpt " Democratic Confederalism http://www.freedom-for-ocalan.com/english/".

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "The right of self-determination of the peoples includes the right to a state of their own. However, the foundation of a…" by Abdullah Öcalan?
Abdullah Öcalan photo
Abdullah Öcalan 25
Founder of the PKK 1949

Related quotes

Abdullah Öcalan photo

“Democratic confederalism is a non-state social paradigm. It is not controlled by a state. At the same time, democratic confederalism is the organisation of democracy and culture.”

Abdullah Öcalan (1949) Founder of the PKK

The Political Thought of Abdullah Ocalan (2017), Democratic Confederalism, Principles of Democratic Confederalism

William H. Seward photo

“The Union is a confederation of States. But in another aspect the United States constitute only one nation.”

William H. Seward (1801–1872) American lawyer and politician

On the Irrepressible Conflict (1858)
Context: The Union is a confederation of States. But in another aspect the United States constitute only one nation. Increase of population, which is filling the States out to their very borders, together with a new and extended network of railroads and other avenues, and an internal commerce which daily becomes more intimate, is rapidly bringing the States into a higher and more perfect social unity or consolidation. Thus, these antagonistic systems are continually coming into closer contact, and collision results.
Shall I tell you what this collision means? They who think that it is accidental, unnecessary, the work of interested or fanatical agitators, and therefore ephemeral, mistake the case altogether. It is an irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces, and it means that the United States must and will, sooner or later, become either entirely a slaveholding nation, or entirely a free-labor nation.

Otto Ohlendorf photo
Juan Cole photo

“The state of Israel is a project of Jewish nationalism that is as legitimate as any other national project. But Israel as a state is not perfect and cannot be above criticism in democratic societies, including practical criticism.”

Juan Cole (1952) American scholar

Israel
Source: The Misuses of Anti-Semitism http://hnn.us/articles/1002.html, Juan Cole, History News Network, September 30, 2002

Joseph Massad photo

“The Jews are not a nation… The Jewish state is a racist state that does not have a right to exist.”

Joseph Massad (1963) Associate Professor of Arab Studies

Massad, in a lecture at Oxford University, March 2002
Views on Israel and Zionism

Gregor Strasser photo
António de Oliveira Salazar photo

“State is the nation socially organized.”

António de Oliveira Salazar (1889–1970) Prime Minister of Portugal

Speeches, Volume 4 - Page 181; of António de Oliveira Salazar - Published by Coimbra Editora, 1935 - 391 pages

Joseph Goebbels photo
Václav Klaus photo

“You cannot have democratic accountability in anything bigger than a nation state.”

Václav Klaus (1941) 2nd President of the Czech Republic

The Sierra Staff Strikes Back, With Some Help From The SPLC https://archive.is/20120529155704/www.vdare.com/walker/sierra_media_war.htm
Czech warns Europe of 'dream world' woes http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2003/nov/24/20031124-110833-1781r/

Related topics