«Leugner des Völkerrechts»: A History of the Denial of International Law in the 19th Century

Dr. Paul Hahnenkamp BA

doi:10.5771/9783748966012

Summary

The ‘Leugner des Völkerrechts’ (deniers of international law), primarily scholars in the field of law, philosophy, and political science, challenge the legal binding force of international law. In the 19th century, the majority of international law scholars criticize them and designate them as ‘Leugner des Völkerrechts’. The primary critique focuses on their narrow concept of law and of the state, which is based on Hegelian, power political, or chauvinistic justifications. The discourse surrounding the arguments of deniers such as Adolf Lasson, John Austin, and Philipp Zorn consolidates the theoretical fundaments of international law and contributes to the institutionalization of international law scholarship in the 19th century.