The problem of peaceful territorial change

This article deals with the process of change in the international status quo of territories, and how such changes may be brought about "peacefully,' by means other than war. The main question is: under what conditions and circumstances will alterations in the status quo of territories take place without warfare or other unilateral coercive means? This study identifies three background conditions that facilitate peaceful territorial change: an asymmetrical distribution of power between the parties involved in the process; a similar type of political regime of the members of the dyad; and a convergence of norms and rules of international law and morality sustained by the parties with reference to the disputed territory. It is important to understand the variables that make the process of peaceful territorial change likely to occur. This process will be affected by the different interests of the parties in a given territory, their degree of cooperation and reciprocity, and their strategies of bargaining and negotiation. -Author