After Meaning: The Sovereignty of Forms in International Law

Jean dAspremont's book After Meaning challenges the dominant meaning-centrism of international law by asserting that the words and texts of international law defer meaning and ensure it is nowhere found within international legal discourse. It offers new perspectives on interpretation, critique, history, comparison, translation, and referencing, inviting international lawyers to reinvent their engagement with these discourses. The book will be an essential reference point for legal scholars, researchers, and students, and its engagement with post-structuralism will be beneficial to anyone interested in the philosophy of language and literary theory.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 31 December 2021
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd

After Meaning presents a groundbreaking and distinctive perspective on international law, challenging the conventional understanding and practice of the field. Jean dAspremont argues that the words and texts of international law, as forms, never possess or convey meaning but instead perpetually defer it and ensure that it remains elusive within international legal discourse. This book promotes a radical shift towards a textuality-focused approach in international law, emphasizing the sovereignty of forms and offering fresh insights into interpretation, critique, history, comparison, translation, and referencing. Through the application of post-structuralist theory, the author delves into the concept of deferral of meaning and reimagines international law from a novel perspective.

Chapters in the book explore the definition of meaning and form in international law, examine the phenomenon of deferral of meaning, and make an unprecedented use of post-structuralist theory to reexamine international law. This book serves as a valuable resource for legal scholars, researchers, and students seeking to understand a different approach to the notion of meaning in international law. Additionally, its engagement with post-structuralism will appeal to those with interests in language philosophy and literary theory.

In conclusion, After Meaning offers a thought-provoking and transformative perspective on international law, challenging the dominant meaning-centrism and advocating for a textuality-focused approach. By exploring the concept of deferral of meaning and employing post-structuralist theory, the book provides valuable insights for legal scholars, researchers, and students, as well as those interested in language philosophy and literary theory.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802200911