What’s the point of international law? | Corbyn, Varoufakis, Maddox, Rifkind

Quick Overview

The utility of international law in regulating state behavior during war is questioned, with Malcolm Rifkind citing the lack of constraints on Allied bombing in WWII as evidence of its weakness, while Jeremy Corbyn argues that existing frameworks like the UDHR still provide a basis for accountability, even if often ignored by powerful nations.

Key Points: Malcolm Rifkind argued that during WWII, there were no effective constraints on Allied actions like the indiscriminate bombing of Coventry and Dresden, indicating a failure of international law at the time. Rifkind noted that while the League of Nations failed, the subsequent creation of the UN and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was a massive step forward, even if imperfect. Bronwen Maddox suggested that if states remove themselves from the principles of international law, it results in a 'free for all,' highlighting that even democracies like Russia and Israel do not always adhere to international law. Jeremy Corbyn countered that even if international law is weak or ignored by powerful states, frameworks like the UDHR still exist and can be used to support those campaigning for freedom and justice. Yanis Varoufakis argued that the current international legal system is weak and unenforceable, often defined by the powerful (bigwigs and warmongers) who disobey the rules, suggesting a transformation is needed. The discussion centered on whether alternative frameworks could be more effective than existing international law in compelling states to behave better during wartime.

Context: This video captures a panel discussion hosted by the Institute of Art and Ideas (IAI) focused on the effectiveness and relevance of international law, particularly concerning state conduct during wartime. The panel featured Malcolm Rifkind (Former UK Foreign Secretary), Yanis Varoufakis (Former Greek Minister of Finance), Bronwen Maddox (Director of Chatham House), and Jeremy Corbyn (Former Labour Party Leader), moderated by another speaker. They debated whether existing international legal frameworks provide meaningful constraints on state actions in conflict zones or if they are merely aspirational guidelines.