Rule of Law Dynamics in an Era of International and Transnational Governance

Abstract

The international and transnational nature of modern governance presents major challenges for the rule of law promotion agenda, at a time when the less than stellar results of traditional state-oriented rule of law promotion have led to increased doubts about the wisdom and feasibility of the enterprise. This is the introduction of a volume that seeks to contribute to our understanding of these new dimensions of rule of law promotion. The volume addresses the dynamics of rule of law in an era of international and transnational governance. It uses the term “dynamics” to refer not only to the increasing international and transnational dimensions of rule of law promotion, but also to the interaction between the international and domestic levels of law. It conceptualizes these levels as a two-way relationship: international law influences rule of law development at the domestic and local levels; at the same time, precisely because of its potential effects, rule of law standards are being sought at the international level itself.

Keywords: International law, rule of law, rule of law promotion, international organizations, diffusion

JEL Classification: K33