Can Law Be Civilizing? An Analysis of Bentham's Thoughts on International Law

Year 2025, Issue: 1, 83 - 115

Ayşe Yaşar Ümütlü

https://doi.org/10.33432/ybuhukuk.1482102

Abstract

This article analyzes Jeremy Bentham’s thinking on law and specifically on international law, considering the role of “law as a civilizing force”. The article examines Bentham’s unique perspectives on the role of law in international relations and shows how these perspectives relate to contemporary international law. It also assesses the impact of Bentham’s proposals on shaping the legal norms and practices of the international community. This analysis provides an important insight into how Bentham’s thought underpins the understanding of contemporary international law and society. For this purpose, the study first examines Bentham’s philosophy of utilitarianism and his views on why he adopted its principles as an important principle in the law-making process. Then, his thoughts on international law and his ideas on the connection between civilization and law are examined. Finally, his contribution to the philosophical foundations of international criminal law is presented.

Keywords

Bentham, international law, international relations, international criminal law, law of philosophy

Hukuk Uygarlaştırıcı Olabilir Mi? Bentham’ın Uluslararası Hukuka Dair Düşünceleri Üzerine Bir Analiz

Abstract

Bu makalede Jeremy Bentham’ın öncelikle genel anlamda hukukla ve sonrasında uluslararası hukukla ilgili düşünceleri analiz edilerek, “hukukun uygarlaştırıcı bir güç” olarak toplumsal sistemler içindeki rolüne dair düşünceleri ele alınmaktadır. Makale, Bentham’ın uluslararası ilişkilerde hukukun rolüne dair utilitarist (faydacı) etik bağlamındaki özgün bakış açısını inceleyerek bu yaklaşımın günümüz uluslararası hukukuyla nasıl ilişkilendirildiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Ayrıca, Bentham’ın önerilerinin uluslararası toplumun hukuki normlarını ve uygulamalarını şekillendirmedeki etkilerini değerlendirmektedir. Böylece, Bentham’ın düşüncelerinin günümüz uluslararası hukuku ve toplumunun anlayışına nasıl bir zemin
oluşturduğu konusunda önemli bir perspektif sunmaktadır. Bu amaçla çalışmada ilk olarak Bentham’ın faydacılık felsefesi ve ilkelerini hukuk yapım sürecinde neden önemli bir ilkesel zemin olarak benimsediğine dair görüşlerine yer verilmiştir. Ardından uluslararası hukuka dair düşünceleri, uygarlaşmak ve hukuk arasındaki bağlantıya dair fikirleri incelenmiştir. Son olarak da uluslararası ceza hukukunun felsefi temellerine katkısı ortaya konulmuştur.

Keywords

Bentham, uluslararası hukuk, uluslararası ilişkiler, uluslararası ceza hukuku, hukuk felsefesi

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma bilimsel araştırma ve etik kurallarına uygun olarak hazırlanmıştır. Bu çalışmada etik kurul izni veya yasal/özel izin gerektirecek bir içerik bulunmamaktadır.

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