Capitalism As Civilisation: A History of International Law

This monograph combines Marxism and deconstruction to understand international law, showing how it incorporates and attempts to mediate the contradictions of capitalism as a global system of production and exchange.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 276 pages
\n Publication date: 11 November 2021
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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This monograph stands out as a groundbreaking work that combines methodological and theoretical innovation, drawing from Marxism and deconstruction to shed new light on our understanding of international law. By approaching civilization as an argumentative pattern rooted in the distribution of rights and duties among different communities, Ntina Tzouvala offers a comprehensive analysis of its contradictory nature and pro-capitalist bias. Tzouvala demonstrates how civilization oscillates between two poles, with one emphasizing the need for non-Western polities to undergo extensive domestic reforms and embrace capitalist modernity in order to achieve legal equality. At the same time, another logic of biology constantly postpones this prospect, relying on notions of immutable difference. Through a detailed exploration of the tension and synergies between these two logics, Tzouvala compellingly argues that international law incorporates and attempts to mediate the contradictions of capitalism as a global system of production and exchange that both homogenizes and stratifies societies, populations, and space.

This innovative approach challenges traditional perspectives on international law, which often overlook the material and textual aspects of the law. By integrating Marxist and deconstructionist theories, Tzouvala offers a fresh and nuanced understanding of how power, ideology, and social structures shape the legal framework of the international system. The monograph's detailed analysis of the contradictions of capitalism as a global system of production and exchange provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of international relations and the challenges faced by different communities and nations.

One of the key strengths of Tzouvala's work is her ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. She demonstrates how international law is not merely a static construct but is shaped by the historical, social, and economic context in which it operates. By examining the interplay between legal equality, domestic reforms, and capitalist modernity, Tzouvala highlights the complex dynamics that underlie the global distribution of power and resources.

Furthermore, Tzouvala's analysis of the logic of biology is particularly insightful, as it sheds light on the ways in which ideas of immutable difference are used to justify the perpetuation of inequality and exploitation. By challenging the notion of biological determinism, Tzouvala argues that international law can play a crucial role in challenging and dismantling the structures of power that perpetuate social and economic inequality.

In conclusion, this monograph is a significant contribution to the field of international law and offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the complex dynamics of globalization and the legal framework that governs it. By combining Marxism and deconstruction, Tzouvala provides a comprehensive analysis of the contradictions of civilization and the challenges faced by different communities and nations. The monograph's methodological and theoretical innovation, combined with its practical insights, makes it an essential read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complex world of international law.

\n Weight: 412g\n
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108739559\n \n