Legitimacy Beyond the State: Normative and Conceptual Questions

This book explores the normative legitimacy of international order, addressing how diverse global governance institutions and practices can claim legitimacy and how it relates to state legitimacy. It proposes a new, tailored approach to the legitimacy of institutions beyond the state, considering their different purposes, means, interests, and roles. The contributions range from conceptual questions to the legitimacy of the UN Security Council and International Criminal Court.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The normative legitimacy of the international order is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires careful examination. This volume seeks to explore the various dimensions of legitimacy claims made by global governance institutions and practices, and to understand how these claims relate to and differ from state legitimacy. State legitimacy has long been a central concern of modern political thought, but it is inadequate when applied to institutions that differ from the state in terms of type, level of governance, scope, and many other aspects. Therefore, we need a new and tailored approach to the legitimacy of institutions beyond the state, particularly international and transnational institutions.

One of the key questions that this volume seeks to address is what it means for institutions to be legitimate, given that they have radically different purposes, means, interests, capacities, constituents, and roles from states. In order to be legitimate, these institutions must meet certain standards that are specific to their nature and context. The contributions to this volume range from conceptual questions about the nature of legitimacy and international institutions to more practical issues such as the rule of law and the legitimacy of the United Nations Security Council, the International Criminal Court, and occupying military forces.

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the journal Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, and they provide a valuable contribution to the debate on legitimacy beyond the state. They demonstrate both the promise and challenges of theorizing legitimacy beyond the state, and they offer insights into the ways in which global governance institutions and practices can be made more legitimate and accountable.

In conclusion, the normative legitimacy of the international order is a critical issue that requires careful consideration. This volume provides a valuable contribution to the debate on legitimacy beyond the state, and it offers insights into the ways in which global governance institutions and practices can be made more legitimate and accountable.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367694982