Kuvaus
States, without doubt, are the paramount actors at the international level. Especially since the Second World War, also international organizations have become established actors in international relations. Both are also international legal subjects. However, the nature of their legal status need not always be straightforward. The course will critically discuss elements of statehood, and the limits as well as possibilities of the concept of statehood for example in face of climate change. As to international organizations, they come in different shapes and forms. Features such as "agencification" and "legal pluralization" indicate that a broad variety of organizations (perhaps better called "institutions") can today be considered actors of the international legal system, some of which may be only loosely connected to nation states. Moreover a range of actors beyond states and international organizations can today be identified that interact with international law in various ways. During the course, students will deepen their knowledge of statehood and international organizations. Students will learn to identify and characterize states and a variety of organizations/institutions, and to analyze both the scope and source of their autonomous authority. Students will learn to critically assess fundamental concepts of statehood and institutional law, as well as the distinction between legal personality and 'being an actor' in a pluralizing international legal system. Students will become familiar with a broad range of non-state organizations (e.g. non-governmental organizations and private military companies), various roles of individuals, animals, and cities as part of the international legal system.The course is compulsory for M.Soc.Sc students who start their Master's studies in Public International Law.