International Law Theories: An Inquiry Into Different Ways of Thinking

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Max Planck Lecture Series:
Prof. Andrea Bianchi and Dr. Surabhi Ranganathan
On February 8th, 2017, interviewed by Dr. Ranganathan, Professor Bianchi discussed his recently published book “International Law Theories: An Inquiry into Different Ways of Thinking”.
Professor Bianchi started by saying that the book’s main message is that there is a plurality of ways in which international law can be observed and understood. He also stressed the importance of theory as a means of unveiling the invisible assumptions that constitute ‘the water’ in which international lawyers ‘swim’, allowing them to be self-reflexive about their activity as scholars and practitioners.
The existence of a plurality of ways of thinking, Professor Bianchi continued, should prompt international lawyers to take a stance of tolerance and respect towards people following different approaches or schools of thought. This is even more so in a social field such as the academic one, in which several exclusionary mechanisms are constantly at play.
He therefore encouraged scholars to be curious about the various existing approaches to international law. As different approaches focus on different problems and ‘see different things’, he said, they also provide different perspectives on international law. Moreover, one can apply a methodology or be inspired by an idea without having to adhere to the movement that originally elaborated it.
Dr. Ranganathan and Professor Bianchi equally discussed issues related to the process of writing a book and the positioning of the author towards the different approaches discussed in it. The lecture-interview was followed by a lively debate and a reception.
Lecturer:
Prof. Andrea Bianchi (Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva)
Interviewer:
Dr Surabhi Ranganathan (University of Cambridge)
Venue:
Max Planck Institute Luxembourg
Conference room, 4th floor
4, rue Alphonse Weicker
L-2721 Luxembourg