An analysis of the developments of national minorities in post-cold war Europe as a major focus of international relations, this text examines them within the historical context of changing practices and evolving norms. It reveals that the foundations extend deep into contemporary history.

PART I: NATIONAL MINORITIES IN CONCEPTUAL PERSPECTIVE ; 1. Introduction ; 2. What is a National Minority? ; 3. Why are National Minorities a Subject of European r s4rnational Relations? ; PART II: NATIONAL MINORITIES IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ; 4. Minority Rights from Westphalia to Berlin (1648-1878) ; 5. The League of Nations System of Minority Guarantees (1919-1939) ; 6. National Minority Questions and the Cold War Human Rights Regime (1945-1989) ; PART III: NATIONAL MINORITIES IN CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVE ; 7. National Minority Rights Provisions (1990-1995) ; 8. National Minority Rights Enforcement Mechanisms (1990-1995) ; 9. Conclusion

This book makes a novel contribution to understanding much of the puzzle of national minority rights in international relations ... this is a very useful and insightful study that should be of interest to scholars seeking to make sense of the place of national minorities in the international system. It provides an excellent background to and perspective on these issues.

`the book is interesting for its historical examination of the various attempts by the international legislative bodies of different eras to address national minority issues within Europe.' Sarah D Duncan Glassburner, Internat. Law and Politics. `Even for a reader having little or no familiarity with the specifics of the League of Nations, Jackson Preece provides an interesting examination of this inter-war period and the ambitious efforts of some international law-makers to address the needs of the natonal minority communities in Eastern Europe. Jackson Preece skillfully demonstrates the effects of these measures, which were in essence imposed by the stronger Western European nations, on the system that developed following World War II.' Sarah D Duncan Glassburner, Internat. Law and Politics. `insightful commentary on the development of European policies regarding national minorities.' Sarah D Duncan Glassburner, Internat. Law and Politics. `a competent historical evaluation of attempts by the international community to address the issues associated with national minorities within Europe.' Sarah D Duncan Glassburner, Internat. Law and Politics.

Addresses a topical issue at the heart of contemporary debates in IR - the fate of national minorities Relates the theme of minorities to wider issues in IR, including the debate about sovereignty and the role of norms in the international arena Makes a substantial contribution to both practical policy-making as well as theoretical debate

Jennifer Jackson Preece is a Lecturer on Nationalism in Europe at the European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science. She was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship for doctoral studies at Oxford University. Her doctoral dissertation, on which this publication is based, was awarded the Bapsybanoo Marchioness of Winchester Thesis Prize (for the best dissertation on human rights) by Oxford University in 1997.

Addresses a topical issue at the heart of contemporary debates in IR - the fate of national minorities Relates the theme of minorities to wider issues in IR, including the debate about sovereignty and the role of norms in the international arena Makes a substantial contribution to both practical policy-making as well as theoretical debate