Title:
|
International law, cyberspace and social movements : a critical interjection
|
The 'international' has for long been imbued with dreams of emancipation, unity and sociality beyond the boundaries of the 'national'. However, despite its centrality, little critical reflection has been directed at the 'international' within the discourse of international law. Specifically, the socio-spatial fabric of this concept/category is rarely discussed. This thesis seeks to theoretically disrupt and problematise this disciplinary comfort zone by highlighting the non-territorial socio-spatiality of cyberspace. Arguing for a fundamental re-conceptualisation of the 'international', this thesis develops on the basis of a re-reading of two modes of analysis, namely logos and nomos. While the former is associated with a territorial configuration of socio-spatiality, the latter is thought as a lived and co-produced understanding of law, space and society. The thesis proceeds with offering cyberspace as an instance of non-territorial and internationally experienced socio-spatiality (nomos), which fundamentally differs from how it is currently conceptualised under international law (logos). The thesis proceeds with an exploration of international law's socio-spatial fabric, arguing for a fundamental re-thinking, from a predominantly territorial configuration (logos), to a non-territorial and lived account of the 'international' (nomos). The thesis is further illustrated through a critical reflection on the social movements and international law literature, arguing that nomos is the right mode of analysis for international law, in a world where normative claims and emancipatory dreams are increasingly woven into the non-territorial fabric of everyday life.
|