Levinson as Renegade or Lawful Revolutionary?

[Levinson]

One can still be a revolutionary and act lawfully -- whether under the law of nations or the Constitution..  This right to self-determination continues to be a fundamental rule of the law of nations and the Constitution.  ...  I don't know if Prof. Levinson knew this, if he did he would be a lawful revolutionary; if not, just a mere renegade.  I am not sure which one he would prefer be called.


Should it ever be relevant, I will certainly claim that I am a "lawful revolutionary."  Why would one *ever* admit to being a "renegade."  I should note, though, that I am exceedingly reluctant to recognize a "right to self-determination" vel non, since, if taken seriously, this is a recipe for sheer chaos, given that there is a far larger number of "nations" than of "states."  I tend to agree with Alan Buchanan, for example, that armed secession is legitimate only if there really has been a "long train of abuses," and not simply because a generally-well-treated group would like a greater degree of autonomy.  (I would not, for example, support Quebecois who took up arms against Canada.)  

sandy