International Law's Objects
Jessie Hohmann and Daniel Joyce
Abstract
International law’s rich existence in the world can be illuminated by its objects. International law is often developed, conveyed, and authorized through its objects and/or their representation. From the symbolic (the regalia of the head of state and the symbols of sovereignty), to the mundane (a can of dolphin-safe tuna certified as complying with international trade standards), international legal authority can be found in the objects around us. Similarly, the practice of international law often relies on material objects or their image, both as evidence (satellite images, bones of the victi ... More
International law’s rich existence in the world can be illuminated by its objects. International law is often developed, conveyed, and authorized through its objects and/or their representation. From the symbolic (the regalia of the head of state and the symbols of sovereignty), to the mundane (a can of dolphin-safe tuna certified as complying with international trade standards), international legal authority can be found in the objects around us. Similarly, the practice of international law often relies on material objects or their image, both as evidence (satellite images, bones of the victims of mass atrocities) and to found authority (for instance, maps and charts).
This volume considers these questions: firstly what might the study of international law through objects reveal? What might objects, rather than texts, tell us about sources, recognition of states, construction of territory, law of the sea, or international human rights law? Secondly, what might this scholarly undertaking reveal about the objects - as aims or projects - of international law? How do objects reveal, or perhaps mask, these aims, and what does this tell us about the reasons some (physical or material) objects are foregrounded, and others hidden or ignored. Thirdly what objects, icons, and symbols preoccupy the profession and academy? The personal selection of these objects by leading and emerging scholars worldwide will illuminate the contemporary and historical fascinations of international lawyers.
By considering international law in the context of its material culture the authors offer a new and exciting theoretical perspective on the subject.
Keywords:
International law,
materiality,
material turn,
methodology,
style,
material culture,
objects,
things,
imagery,
interdisciplinarity,
archive,
artefact
Bibliographic Information
Print publication date: 2018 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780198798200 |
Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: February 2019 |
DOI:10.1093/oso/9780198798200.001.0001 |
Authors
Affiliations are at time of print publication.
Jessie Hohmann, editor
Lecturer in Law, QMUL
Daniel Joyce, editor
Lecturer in Law, UNSW Australia
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