Episode 34: In the Family: Family Tropes in International Law - EJIL: The Podcast!
Episode 34: In the Family: Family Tropes in International Law Episode 34 • 5th June 2025 • EJIL: The Podcast! • European Journal of International Law 00:00:00 00:40:42 1 Notes Links Follow Share Notes Links Follow Share Share Episode Share Copy link Start at Embed Copy code Download Audio Share to X Share to LinkedIn Shownotes Susan Marks’ EJIL 36(1) Foreword asks ‘If the World is a Family, What Kind of Family Is It?’. It’s a provocative question for international lawyers, as the trope of the family runs through the discipline in all kinds of complex, even contradictory, ways. In this episode, Janne Nijman (Graduate Institute & University of Amsterdam) interviews Susan Marks (LSE) about her Foreword and the larger project it inaugurates. Their conversation ranges across the three ‘cases’ featured in the Foreword—the human family in human rights law, the ‘family of nations’, and the child as future in climate change debates—and beyond. What are the stakes of employing these familial tropes? What do they offer and what might they mask? What alternative discourses or imaginaries might be available? The exchange moves through visual as well as textual languages of family, in the form of photography exhibitions (for a glimpse: New York Museum of Modern Art’s ‘ The Family of Man ’ (1955); the deliberate counterpoint and tribute, Fenix’s ‘ The Family of Migrants ’ (2025); as well as World Press Photo’s ‘ Ties that Bind: Photography and Family ’ (2025)). Other scholarship mentioned includes Ariella Azoulay’s analysis of the Family of Man exhibition as ‘A Visual Universal Declaration of Human Rights’; Stephen Humphreys’ ‘ Against Future Generations ’ (from EJIL 33(4), Nov 2022); Lee Edelman’s No Future (2004); Jodi Dean’s Comrade: An Essay on Political Belonging (2019); and Janne Nijman’s ‘Grotius’ Imago Dei Anthropology: Grounding Ius Naturae et Gentium ’ in Koskenniemi et al (eds), International Law and Religion: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives (2017). Follow RSS Links Chapters Video More from YouTube
Executive Summary
The podcast episode 'In the Family: Family Tropes in International Law' delves into the metaphorical use of family language in international law, exploring its implications and limitations. Susan Marks' EJIL Foreword serves as the foundation for a discussion with Janne Nijman, examining how familial tropes are employed in human rights law, the 'family of nations,' and climate change debates. The conversation extends to visual representations of family in photography exhibitions, highlighting the complex and sometimes contradictory nature of these tropes. The episode also references various scholarly works that critique or analyze these themes, offering a nuanced perspective on the role of family metaphors in shaping international legal discourse.
Key Points
- ▸ The use of family language in international law is pervasive and multifaceted.
- ▸ Familial tropes can both illuminate and obscure aspects of international legal discourse.
- ▸ Visual representations of family in photography exhibitions provide additional layers of meaning.
- ▸ Scholarly critiques offer alternative perspectives on the implications of these tropes.
Merits
Comprehensive Analysis
The episode provides a thorough examination of the use of family tropes in international law, covering multiple areas such as human rights, international relations, and climate change.
Interdisciplinary Approach
The discussion incorporates visual and textual languages, enriching the analysis with diverse perspectives.
Engagement with Scholarly Works
The episode references a range of scholarly works, adding depth and credibility to the discussion.
Demerits
Limited Practical Applications
While the analysis is theoretically rich, it offers fewer concrete suggestions for practical applications or policy changes.
Abstract Nature
The discussion remains somewhat abstract, which may limit its accessibility to a broader audience.
Expert Commentary
The podcast episode 'In the Family: Family Tropes in International Law' offers a sophisticated exploration of the metaphorical use of family language in international law. Susan Marks' Foreword sets a provocative tone, questioning the nature of the 'family' in international legal discourse. The subsequent discussion with Janne Nijman is both insightful and comprehensive, covering a range of topics from human rights to climate change. The inclusion of visual representations of family in photography exhibitions adds a unique dimension to the analysis, highlighting the interplay between textual and visual languages. The episode's engagement with scholarly works further enriches the discussion, providing a well-rounded perspective on the subject. However, while the theoretical analysis is robust, the episode could benefit from more concrete suggestions for practical applications. This would make the insights more accessible and actionable for a broader audience, including policymakers and legal practitioners. Overall, the episode is a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the role of metaphors in shaping international legal discourse.
Recommendations
- ✓ Incorporate more concrete examples and case studies to illustrate the practical implications of using family tropes in international law.
- ✓ Expand the discussion to include the perspectives of legal practitioners and policymakers, providing actionable insights for real-world applications.
