Self-determination has been perhaps the most prevalent cause of crises in inter-state and international relations, as minorities have increasingly been claiming what they believe to be their right to determine their own international status through the formation of new, independent states. However, self-determination can no longer be mistaken as a synonym for independence, full sovereignty or for an alteration of international borders; more attention must be given to its internal dimension, namely that of self-governance or of varying degrees of autonomy. As a result, a case which exemplifies a mutually beneficial resolution of minority conflict via self-governance rather than secession is of great importance. Such an example can be found in the case of South Tyrol.

Through an analysis of the South Tyrolean autonomy from various perspectives – historical, economical, political, Italian and European – the author attempts to evaluate the extent to which the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen represents a model of self-governance and the reasons for its success. In the hopes that a more peaceful and co-operative solution to the heightened ethnic strive in today’s international community is on the horizon, this work seeks to provide one model from which to build.