The Idea
The idea is that international law is no longer viewed as a just system above interests, but has remained tied to balances of power and the inherited political map. Accordingly, the existing law appears incapable of overcoming the effects of historical hegemony. The point is not to deny the existence of law, but to note that its current structure is not sufficient to achieve genuine global justice.
Concise Formulation
International law: needs: a global philosophical and legislative refounding
Its Place in the Book’s Argument
This claim appears within a broader context in which the book moves from criticizing forms of religious thought to criticizing the structures that organize the modern world. It shows that, for Arkoun, the problem does not concern the Islamic sphere alone, but also the international system itself when it fails to embody the principle of justice outside the logic of power.
Why It Matters
Its importance lies in the fact that it reveals the breadth of Arkoun’s horizon, from reforming thought to interrogating the governing global structures. This claim prevents his project from being confined to a narrow cultural critique, and shows that he connects knowledge to justice and to the global political order. From here, we understand that the question of law is part of a broader question about human beings and the world.
Brief Evidence
The idea is that international law is no longer viewed as a just system above interests, but has remained tied to balances of power and the inherited political map. Accordingly, the existing law appears incapable of overcoming the effects of historical hegemony. The point is not to deny the existence of law, but to note that its current structure is not sufficient to achieve genuine global justice.
Reading Questions
- Why does the text link international law to the inherited geopolitical map?
- Does the claim call for abolishing law, or for refounding it on a more just meaning?
Degree of Documentation
High: the claim appears in a clear location in the book’s material.