Episode 11 - Utopia and the Failures of International Law

Why Do States Undermine International Law and Can We Achieve a Utopia?

Like any discipline international law is influenced by a variety of philosophical ideas and ideologies. When exploring the legal system the influence of certain ideologies during specific timepoints becomes evident. When the international community is in the midst of great catastrophe, utopian ideologies seem to play a decisive role. On the other hand, when the legal system is being undermined, realism plays a strong influence.

So why do States bind together around utopian ideas in times of need, and why do States undermine international law?

In this episode, we interview our very own Dr Deepak Mawar to talk about his newly released book States Undermining International Law, the power utopianism, the nature of States, and the history of international law. In this episode we have a very special guest-host, Dr Carl Lewis, who specialises in the fields of philosophy and international law.

Deepak Mawar is a Visiting Lecturer at King’s College London, specialising in the fields of international legal theory, political philosophy and international legal history. He attained his PhD in the Philosophy and History of Public International Law from King’s College London. Carl Lewis is a Lecturer at Tilburg University, and attained his PhD in Philosophy and International Legal Theory from Tilburg University.

Reading Material:

D. Mawar, States Undermining International Law: League of Nations. United Nations. Failed Utopianism, (2021).