Statehood and collective recognition::Practice of states and UN organs

This chapter explores the collective recognition of states and the role of the international community in the creation of states. The chapter argues that the legal effects of recognition should not be assessed in the absence of the concept of statehood. The chapter submits that recognition is a mode of expressing state practice and opinio juris that a certain entity has the legal status of a state. In this context, collective recognition that is widespread can end doubts with regard to the legal status of an entity. The chapter argues that collective recognition is not linked to the position of any particular number or critical mass of states, but, in order to end any doubt with regard to the legal status of a territory, recognition by as many states as possible and by the more powerful ones tend to carry more weight in the legitimation of new states.