International law and populist critique

The international legal order that emerged after the Second World War appears as increasingly contested. Different actors display critical positions towards international juridical and human rights institutions, inspiring an increasingly prominent discussion of ‘backlash’ also in the international context. The chapter discusses, first, the relation between populism and (international) law in contemporary scholarly debates. Second, more specifically the populist critique of international law and institutions will be discussed. Third, the chapter deconstructs in a more detailed manner the position of populists with regard to law in the form of international liberal legalism. Fourth, in the concluding remarks, it will be argued that a potential shift in international legalism may be visible, brought about not only by populists, but by a range of sceptical actors. This shift includes a re-assessment and reification of the nation-state.