Research Article

THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA

Number: 32 July 31, 2026
FR EN TR DE

THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA

Abstract

This article examines the structural and normative barriers to the implementation of democracy and the law at the global level through the lens of the natural law approach, ethical universalism, and human rights doctrine. Although the contemporary global order formally recognizes democracy, human freedoms, and the law as universal benchmarks, their practical application rebases deeply constrained by sovereignty, power asymmetries, and geopolitical interests. The article argues that this gap between normativity and practice does not stem solely from deficiencies in enforcement mechanisms, but rather reflects a deeper ontological tension between moral universalism and the positivist foundations of international law. While natural law grounds legal validity in moral correctness and ethical rationality, ethical universalism asserts the equal moral worth of all persons, thereby demanding universal standards of political legitimacy. Human rights doctrine institutionalizes these claims within contemporary legal frameworks. Yet, selective application and instrumentalization of these norms undermine their legitimacy and erode the moral foundations of the global legal order. This study argues that overcoming the crisis requires not only institutional reforms but also a radical rethinking of the ethical foundations of international law.

Keywords

References

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  3. Aslan Ö, ‘Anayasal Devlet İlkesi Bağlamında İnsan Hakları ile Güvenlik Arasındaki Denge’ (2026) 23 Ombudsman Akademik 237 https://doi:10.32002/ombudsmanakademik.1767148
  4. Buchanan A, Justice, Legitimacy, and Self-Determination: Moral Foundations for International Law (OUP 2003) https://doi.org/10.1093/0198295359.001.0001
  5. Chandler D, International Statebuilding: The Rise of Post-Liberal Governance (Routledge 2010)
  6. Charter of the United Nations (26 June 1945) arts 1, 2, 55 https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text accessed15 April 2026
  7. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (adopted 9 December 1948, entered into force 12 January 1951) 78 UNTS 277 https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/genocide-convention.shtml accessed 15 April 2026
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Law in Context (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 31, 2026

Submission Date

February 26, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 32

APA
Şakar, Z. (2026). THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA. Law and Justice Review, 32, 48-68. https://izlik.org/JA52PA65AU
AMA
1.Şakar Z. THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA. L&JR. 2026;(32):48-68. https://izlik.org/JA52PA65AU
Chicago
Şakar, Zübeyr. 2026. “THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA”. Law and Justice Review, nos. 32: 48-68. https://izlik.org/JA52PA65AU.
EndNote
Şakar Z (July 1, 2026) THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA. Law and Justice Review 32 48–68.
IEEE
[1]Z. Şakar, “THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA”, L&JR, no. 32, pp. 48–68, July 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA52PA65AU
ISNAD
Şakar, Zübeyr. “THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA”. Law and Justice Review. 32 (July 1, 2026): 48-68. https://izlik.org/JA52PA65AU.
JAMA
1.Şakar Z. THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA. L&JR. 2026;:48–68.
MLA
Şakar, Zübeyr. “THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA”. Law and Justice Review, no. 32, July 2026, pp. 48-68, https://izlik.org/JA52PA65AU.
Vancouver
1.Zübeyr Şakar. THE PROBLEM OF THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA. L&JR [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 1;(32):48-6. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA52PA65AU