When should secession be supported and when shouldn't it?

[GMantis]

So you really think that the Ossetians and the Abkhazians would welcome the Georgian army  after the civil war?

I really don't think they'd care about replacing Russian troops with Georgian troops. I doubt they like being Russian puppet states.

It seems the Ossetians at least, want to unite with North Ossetia - ie with Russia. In any case, it's the Georgian army which they have a violent conflict. I think they preffer the Russians to the Georgians. And many, if not most have Russian citizenship.

[minionofmidas]

My view: When a clear majority of the local population wishes to secede, that they will provide protection for the rights of those who disagree and do not force them to leave, they have good motivations for leaving and that they are willing to be a peaceful member of the international community.

I would say that Kosovo fullfils between one and two of those conditions. And this is being generous.

I'd say three. Two is debatable.

And I'd say two (1st and 3rd). Three is debatable (4th).

[GMantis]

My view: When a clear majority of the local population wishes to secede, that they will provide protection for the rights of those who disagree and do not force them to leave, they have good motivations for leaving and that they are willing to be a peaceful member of the international community.

I would say that Kosovo fullfils between one and two of those conditions. And this is being generous.

I'd say three. Two is debatable.

And I'd say two (1st and 3rd). Three is debatable (4th).

I wonder how South Ossetia ranks on this scale. I would say 1st and 3rd, probably 4th.

[minionofmidas]

My view: When a clear majority of the local population wishes to secede, that they will provide protection for the rights of those who disagree and do not force them to leave, they have good motivations for leaving and that they are willing to be a peaceful member of the international community.

I would say that Kosovo fullfils between one and two of those conditions. And this is being generous.

I'd say three. Two is debatable.

And I'd say two (1st and 3rd). Three is debatable (4th).

I wonder how South Ossetia ranks on this scale. I would say 1st and 3rd, probably 4th.

Given that South Ossetia has never (in the modern era, anyhow) been a de facto part of an independent Georgia, I would consider it unrateable.

[Хahar 🤔]

When the seceding nation wins.

[GMantis]

When the seceding nation wins.

This is, sadly, the correct answer.