Backlash Against International Courts: Explaining the Forms and Patterns of Resistance to International Courts

iCourts Working Paper Series, No. 118

Forthcoming (2018) International Journal of Law in Context 14(2)

41 Pages Posted: 7 Mar 2018

See all articles by Mikael Rask Madsen

Mikael Rask Madsen

University of Copenhagen - iCourts - Centre of Excellence for International Courts; University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Law

Pola Cebulak

University of Amsterdam ; University of Copenhagen - Centre of Excellence for International Courts (iCourts)

Micha Wiebusch

University of Cape Town (UCT) - Public Law Department

Date Written: February 28, 2018

Abstract

The article investigates and theorises different forms and patterns of resistance to international courts and develops an analytical framework for explaining their variability. In order to make intelligible the resistance that many international courts are currently facing, the article first unpacks the concept of resistance. It then introduces a key distinction between mere pushback from individual member states or other actors, seeking to influence the future direction of a court’s case law, and actual backlash – a critique triggering significant institutional reform or even the dismantling of tribunals. On the basis on the proposed theoretical framework, the article provides a roadmap for empirical studies of resistance to ICs, considering the key contextual factors necessary to take into account in such studies.

Keywords: International Courts, international tribunals, institutional reform, legal authority, resistance, empirical studies.

Suggested Citation

Madsen, Mikael Rask and Cebulak, Pola and Wiebusch, Micha, Backlash Against International Courts: Explaining the Forms and Patterns of Resistance to International Courts (February 28, 2018). iCourts Working Paper Series, No. 118, Forthcoming (2018) International Journal of Law in Context 14(2), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3131641 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3131641

Mikael Rask Madsen (Contact Author)

University of Copenhagen - iCourts - Centre of Excellence for International Courts ( email )

University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Law ( email )

Studiestraede 6
Studiestrade 6
Copenhagen, DK-1455
Denmark

Pola Cebulak

University of Amsterdam ( email )

Spuistraat 210, room 125
Amsterdam, 1012VT
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www.uva.nl/en/profile/c/e/p.p.cebulak/p.p.cebulak.html

University of Copenhagen - Centre of Excellence for International Courts (iCourts) ( email )

Studiestraede 6
Studiestrade 6
Copenhagen, DK-1455
Denmark

Micha Wiebusch

University of Cape Town (UCT) - Public Law Department ( email )

South Africa

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