Fatal attraction: a critique of Carl Schmitt's international political and legal theory

The ongoing Schmitt revival has extended Carl Schmitt's reach over the fields of international legal and political theory. Neo-Schmittians suggest that his international thought provides a new reading of the history of international law and order, which validates the explanatory power of his theoretical premises – the concept of the political, political decisionism, and concrete-order-thinking. Against this background, this article mounts a systematic reappraisal of Schmitt's international thought in a historical perspective. The argument is that his work requires re-contextualization as the intellectual product of an ultra-intense moment in Schmitt's friend/enemy distinction. It inscribed Hitler's ‘spatial revolution’ into a full-scale reinterpretation of Europe's geopolitical history, grounded in land appropriations, which legitimized Nazi Germany's wars of conquest. Consequently, Schmitt's elevation of the early modern nomos as the model for civilized warfare – the ‘golden age’ of international law – against which American legal universalism can be portrayed as degenerated, is conceptually and empirically flawed. Schmitt devised a politically motivated set of theoretical premises to provide a historical counter-narrative against liberal normativism, which generated defective history. The reconstruction of this history reveals the explanatory limits of his theoretical vocabulary – friend/enemy binary, sovereignty-as-exception, nomos/universalism – for past and present analytical purposes. Schmitt's defective analytics and problematic history compromise the standing of his work for purposes of international theory

LJUDSKA PRAVA, DEMOKRATIJA I MIR U ERI GLOBALIZACIJE

In questo saggio Zolo affronta tre temi dei quali si è intensamente occupato nella sua attività di teorico politico e di scrittore. I diritti umani, anzitutto il diritto alla vita, sono presentati da Zolo come una ideologia e un movimento politico in grave crisi nel contesto del processo di globalizzazione. E per „globalizzazione” egli intende la crescent espansione delle relazioni sociali fra gli esseri umani, dovuta anzitutto allo sviluppo tecnologico, alla rapidità dei trasporti e alla rivoluzione informatica. In secondo luogo Zolo intende sostenere che sta diventando problematica anche la conservazione e la difesa delle istituzioni democratiche tuttora esistenti in Occidente. Egli sostiene che il concetto di democrazia è ormai al tramontato. Come già nel secolo scorso Max Weber e Joseph Schumpeter avevano intravisto, le stesse nozioni di „rappresentanza”, di „sovranità popolare” e di „interesse collettivo” sono ormai dogmi illuministici senza alcun rilievo politico e lontanissimi dalla cultura popolare. Per „democrazia” si intende ormai una società dominate dalla rivoluzione tecnologica, dalla globalizzazione e dallo strapotere delle corporations internazionali. In terzo luogo Zolo sostiene che il potere economico-finanziario si è concentrato nelle mani di poche superpotenze e l’applicazione del diritto internazionale è ormai subordinato alla loro assoluta volontà militare. Il diritto e le istituzioni internazionali sono sempre più condizionati dagli interessi politici ed economico-finanziari delle grandi potenze, a cominciare dagli Stati Uniti d’America e dai loro alleati europei.U ovom tekstu autor tretira tri teorijsko politika problema koji ga intenzivno okupiraju: pre svega ljudska prava, uključujući i pravo na život, su ideologija i politički pokret koji se u eri globalizacije nalazi u ozbiljnoj krizi. „Globalizacija” dovodi do umnožavanja međuljudskih odnosa, zahvaljuju i razvoju tehnologije, ubrzanju saobraćajnih sredstava i informatičkoj revoluciji. Druga preokupacija autora je problematizovanje nastojanja da se konzerviraju i odbrane demokratske institucije koje postoje na Zapadu. On smatra da je koncept demokratije uzdrman. Kao što su u prethodnom veku smatrali Veber i Šumpeter, sami pojmovi „predstavljanje”, „suverenitet naroda” i „kolektivni interesi” su prosvetiteljske dogme bez politike sadržine, tako udaljene od kulture naroda. Na zaštitu „demakratije” poziva najrazvijenije društvo koje je najdalje otišlo u tehnološkoj revoluciji, u globalizovanju i svemoći internacionalnih korporacija. Na tre em mestu, autor smatra da se ekonomsko finansijska moć koncentriše u rukama nekoliko supersila i zbog toga je primena međunarodnog prava apsolutno podređena voluntarizmu njihove vojne nadmoći. Međunarodno pravo i njegove institucije su sve više određeni ekonomskim i političkim interesima moćnih, pre svega SAD i njenih evropskih saveznika

The Third wave in globalization theory

This essay examines a proposition made in the literature that there are three waves in globalization theory—the globalist, skeptical, and postskeptical or transformational waves—and argues that this division requires a new look. The essay is a critique of the third of these waves and its relationship with the second wave. Contributors to the third wave not only defend the idea of globalization from criticism by the skeptics but also try to construct a more complex and qualified theory of globalization than provided by first-wave accounts. The argument made here is that third-wave authors come to conclusions that try to defend globalization yet include qualifications that in practice reaffirm skeptical claims. This feature of the literature has been overlooked in debates and the aim of this essay is to revisit the literature and identify as well as discuss this problem. Such a presentation has political implications. Third wavers propose globalist cosmopolitan democracy when the substance of their arguments does more in practice to bolster the skeptical view of politics based on inequality and conflict, nation-states and regional blocs, and alliances of common interest or ideology rather than cosmopolitan global structures

Global Surgery Research: An Overview and the Role of Medical Students and Surgical Trainees in Advancing Global Surgery Research in LMICs

Global surgery research is a critical area of study aimed at enhancing access to safe and effective surgical care for patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is essential to explore the significance of global surgery research and highlight the potential contributions of medical students and surgical trainees in addressing the pressing needs of LMIC populations. Global surgery research is pivotal in driving progress and fostering innovation by evaluating surgical disease burden, identifying access barriers, developing sustainable solutions, and strengthening health systems. Additionally, integrating sustainability principles into global surgery research endeavors ensures surgical interventions benefit patients while minimizing the environmental impact of surgical care delivery. Medical students and surgical trainees can engage in global surgery research, including collaborating with experienced researchers, developing research projects with local partners, conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating research findings. Despite challenges faced in conducting research in LMIC, such as limited resources and sociopolitical instability, opportunities exist to nurture the interest of medical students and surgical trainees in global surgery research. By actively participating in global surgery research, medical students and surgical trainees can contribute to improving healthcare outcomes in LMICs while honing invaluable research skills for their future careers. Global surgery research is a critical area of study aimed at enhancing access to safe and effective surgical care for patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is essential to explore the significance of global surgery research and highlight the potential contributions of medical students and surgical trainees in addressing the pressing needs of LMIC populations. Global surgery research is pivotal in driving progress and fostering innovation by evaluating surgical disease burden, identifying access barriers, developing sustainable solutions, and strengthening health systems. Additionally, integrating sustainability principles into global surgery research endeavors ensures surgical interventions benefit patients while minimizing the environmental impact of surgical care delivery. Medical students and surgical trainees can engage in global surgery research, including collaborating with experienced researchers, developing research projects with local partners, conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating research findings. Despite challenges faced in conducting research in LMIC, such as limited resources and sociopolitical instability, opportunities exist to nurture the interest of medical students and surgical trainees in global surgery research. By actively participating in global surgery research, medical students and surgical trainees can contribute to improving healthcare outcomes in LMICs while honing invaluable research skills for their future careers. Global surgery research is a critical area of study aimed at enhancing access to safe and effective surgical care for patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is essential to explore the significance of global surgery research and highlight the potential contributions of medical students and surgical trainees in addressing the pressing needs of LMIC populations. Global surgery research is pivotal in driving progress and fostering innovation by evaluating surgical disease burden, identifying access barriers, developing sustainable solutions, and strengthening health systems. Additionally, integrating sustainability principles into global surgery research endeavors ensures surgical interventions benefit patients while minimizing the environmental impact of surgical care delivery. Medical students and surgical trainees can engage in global surgery research, including collaborating with experienced researchers, developing research projects with local partners, conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating research findings. Despite challenges faced in conducting research in LMIC, such as limited resources and sociopolitical instability, opportunities exist to nurture the interest of medical students and surgical trainees in global surgery research. By actively participating in global surgery research, medical students and surgical trainees can contribute to improving healthcare outcomes in LMICs while honing invaluable research skills for their future careers

Citizenship and globalization

The essay refers to the relationship between globalization and citizenship rights. In the first part, the author presents an approach to the concept of citizenship and then discusses the cosmopolitan theories which assume globalization as the advent of the global civil society. In the last part, the author points out the world levels of inequality to conclude on the restrictive character of some of the new rights in the society of information.El ensayo trata sobre la relación que existe entre la globalización y los derechos de ciudadanía. En una primera parte el autor presenta una aproximación al concepto de ciudadanía y enseguida polemiza con las teorías cosmopolitas las cuales interpretan la globalización como el advenimiento de la sociedad civil global. En la última parte, el autor muestra el crecimiento de los niveles de desigualdad en el mundo para concluir sobre el carácter restrictivo de varios de los nuevos derechos de la sociedad de la información

Una crítica realista del globalismo jurídico desde Kant a Kelsen y Habermas

El artículo presenta una arqueología conceptual y al mismo tiempo una crítica de lo que el autor llama el "globalismo jurídico". El autor se refiere a la línea de pensamiento filosófico y teórico jurídico que se podría remontar a la obra Zum ewigen Frieden de Kant. Esta línea se desarrolló en nuestro siglo, primero, en la construcción teórico-jurídica de Hans Kelsen y después, en Italia, en el "pacifismo jurídico" de Norberto Bobbio. Esta posición está también presente en la cultura angloamericana contemporánea (los Westernglobalists) y es defendida, en la cultura alemana, por Jürgen Habermas. La crítica del autor se concentra en dos aspectos del "globalismo jurídico": en primer lugar, se critica la concepción racionalista y normativista del derecho a la que el iusglobalismo nos remite y que atribuye al derecho una eficacia regulativa de los fenómenos sociales que éste en la realidad no alcanza a garantizar; en segundo lugar, se denuncia el prejuicio etnocéntrico de una cultura jurídica que, al mismo tiempo que elabora un proyecto de unificación del mundo, se muestra indiferente respecto a tradiciones culturales, políticas y jurídicas distintas de la occidental

Citizenship and globalization

The essay refers to the relationship between globalization and citizenship rights. In the first part, the author presents an approach to the concept of citizenship and then discusses the cosmopolitan theories which assume globalization as the advent of the global civil society. In the last part, the author points out the world levels of inequality to conclude on the restrictive character of some of the new rights in the society of information.El ensayo trata sobre la relación que existe entre la globalización y los derechos de ciudadanía. En una primera parte el autor presenta una aproximación al concepto de ciudadanía y enseguida polemiza con las teorías cosmopolitas las cuales interpretan la globalización como el advenimiento de la sociedad civil global. En la última parte, el autor muestra el crecimiento de los niveles de desigualdad en el mundo para concluir sobre el carácter restrictivo de varios de los nuevos derechos de la sociedad de la información

La fortuna del pensamiento de Niklas Luhmann en Italia

La explosiva fecundidad de Luhmann no puede explicarse sin referencia a un extraordinario método de trabajo, selectivo y combinatorio a la vez, basado en el automatismo interactivo de un elaboradísimo fichero por materias. ¿Será precisamente la estructura laberíntica del fichero y de la obra de Luhmann la clave interpretativa de la consideración excepcional, persistente y creciente que ha merecido en el círculo de la cultura italiana de los setenta-ochenta? La primera recepción de Luhmann en Italia es realizada por (y coincide con el clima de fragmentación de) las tradicionales subculturas italianas del marxismo y el catolicismo, que se sienten "irresistiblemente provocadas", especialmente por la concepción luhmanniana del Estado de Derecho. La recepción de los años ochenta, sin embargo, está caracterizada por un incontenible splitting, que amenaza la propia identidad del autor, y por el auténtico "agujero negro" de la teoría de la autopoiesis en su doble cualidad de teoría biológica y teoría epistemológica. Difícil que, con estos dos obstáculos, el nuevo programa de investigación de Luhmann produzca resultados apreciables

MIEDO E INSEGURIDAD

The author starts from recognition of fear as a constant element in the history of man to show how the mechanisms to reduce fear have created the human being. Among them, the political system, and in particular the modern state, have shown themselves to be the most efficient instruments for the reduction of fear and the guarantee of security. In this sense, the welfare state has been the highest level reached in the west by a political system in its attempt to regulate and reduce fear, to reduce the risks for the human being that come from the working of the market economy. However, the article shows how the crisis of the welfare state in the context of globalisation has caused, among other things, a drastic step from the conception of security understood as recognition of individual identity and participation in social life to a conception of security understood simply as defence of the individual from possible acts of aggression and repression and severe punishment of anti-social behaviour, that is, a step from the welfare state to the penal state. Finally, the author defends the necessity, especially for left wing thought, of recovering the positive sense both of security and liberty, assuming that security and liberty cannot survive outside political structures that fail at the same time to maintain both individual autonomy and social solidarity.El autor parte del reconocimiento del miedo como elemento constante en la historia del hombre, para ilustrar los mecanismos que para su reducción ha creado el ser humano. Entre ellos, el sistema político —y en particular el Estado moderno— se ha mostrado como el instrumento más eficaz en la reducción del miedo y de garantía de la seguridad. En este sentido, el Estado social ha significado el nivel más alto alcanzado en Occidente por un sistema político en el intento de regular y reducir el miedo, al reducir los riesgos para el ser humano provenientes del funcionamiento de la economía de mercado. Sin embargo, el artículo muestra como la crisis del Estado social en el contexto de la globalización ha provocado, entre otras cosas, un drástico paso desde una concepción de la seguridad entendida como reconocimiento de la identidad de las personas y de su participación en la vida social, a una concepción de la seguridad entendida simplemente como defensa de los individuos de los posibles actos de agresión y como represión y castigo severo de los comportamientos desviados, es decir, el paso del Estado social al Estado penal. Finalmente, el autor defiende la necesidad, especialmente para el pensamiento de la izquierda, de recuperar el sentido positivo tanto de la seguridad como de la libertad, asumiendo que la seguridad y la libertad no pueden sobrevivir fuera de estructuras políticas que no se sostengan al mismo tiempo tanto en la autonomía individual como en la solidaridad social