Episode 42: Russia, Imperial Continuities and Histories of International Law - EJIL: The Podcast!
Episode 42: Russia, Imperial Continuities and Histories of International Law Episode 42 • 7th April 2026 • EJIL: The Podcast! • European Journal of International Law 00:00:00 00:49:45 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 One feature of the turn to history in international law has been the adoption of ‘national’ traditions (here using ‘national’ very loosely) as a lens through which to explore a broader picture. This focus on national traditions has converged with rich work styled as comparative international law, exploring how international law operates as a fragile common language even as governments deploy its grammar and vocabulary in quite different ways. In this episode we take up the question of whether there is a distinctive Russian approach to or use of international law. This takes us to reflections on the terrain from which we judge this, particularly today. What are the comparators and from which perspective are we taking a view? It also takes us to the stakes of thinking in terms of these long-range continuities in national legal styles in the first place. How does that shape our perspective on the broader system and how it might develop in future? Megan Donaldson is joined by Lauri Mälksoo (University of Tartu), Erika de Wet (University of Graz) and the political scientist Gulnaz Sharafutdinova (Director of the Russia Institute, King’s College London). Scholarship discussed in the episode includes Lauri Mälksoo’s recent book, Russia, the Soviet Union, and Imperial Continuity in International Law (2025); and Gulnaz Sharafutdinova’s The Red Mirror: Putin's Leadership and Russia's Insecure Identity (2020) and The Afterlife of the ‘Soviet Man’: Rethinking Homo Sovieticus (2023). Erika de Wet expands on themes in ‘Is the future for collective security regional? Assessing current challenges to regional and sub-regional security frameworks in Africa’, forthcoming Japanese Yearbook of International Law (2026). Follow RSS Links Chapters Video More from YouTube
Executive Summary
This episode of EJIL: The Podcast explores the concept of Russia's imperial continuities in international law, examining its national traditions and its implications for the broader international system. The discussion draws on recent scholarship, including Lauri Mälksoo's book on Russia, the Soviet Union, and Imperial Continuity in International Law. The panel explores the stakes of thinking in terms of national legal styles and their potential impact on the future development of international law. The conversation touches on the complexities of comparative international law, the challenges of defining a 'distinctive' Russian approach, and the need for nuanced evaluation of long-range continuities in national legal styles.
Key Points
- ▸ The concept of national traditions in international law has gained prominence in recent years, with scholars exploring how international law operates as a fragile common language.
- ▸ The discussion focuses on the question of whether there is a distinctive Russian approach to or use of international law, drawing on recent scholarship and expertise.
- ▸ The panel explores the implications of thinking in terms of national legal styles for our understanding of the broader international system and its future development.
Merits
Strength of Interdisciplinary Approach
The conversation brings together scholars from law, history, and politics, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of the topic. The discussion highlights the value of interdisciplinary approaches in international law studies.
Demerits
Limited Geographical Focus
The discussion focuses primarily on Russia and its imperial continuities, which may limit the generalizability of the findings and insights to other countries and regions.
Complexity of the Topic
The topic of national traditions in international law is inherently complex, and the discussion may be challenging for non-experts to follow. A more detailed explanation of key concepts and theories may be necessary for a deeper understanding.
Expert Commentary
The discussion highlights the importance of nuanced evaluation of long-range continuities in national legal styles and their implications for the broader international system. The conversation demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary approaches in international law studies, bringing together scholars from law, history, and politics to provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the topic. However, the limited geographical focus and complexity of the topic may limit the generalizability of the findings and insights to other countries and regions.
Recommendations
- ✓ Future research should aim to explore the implications of national legal styles for the broader international system and its future development, taking into account the complexities of comparative international law.
- ✓ International lawyers and scholars should adapt their approaches to take into account the nuances of national legal styles, recognizing the potential implications for international relations and global governance.
Sources
Original: European Journal of International Law
