This chapter addresses the moral justification of the case for national self-determination. The author is critical and evaluative, based on the morality of international relations. He begins by clarifying the core content of the right of national self-determination, then deals with the nature of the groups that may be the subject of such a right and considers the value that is served by the enjoyment of political independence by such groups. Lastly the author examines the case for conceding that there is a moral right to self-determination, but that the right might be narrower or wider in scope.