Global Governance, Constitutionalism, and World Society

Today’s international relations feature a paradox. On the one hand there is an increase in constitutionalism all over the world; for example, references to constitutional norms and processes have become a familiar feature across global regions and in a range of international organizations (IOs). On the other hand, the interpretation of international law is frequently subject to controversy. The meaning of corresponding norms is highly contested. Examples are decisions of the United Nations Security Council on military interventions or on so-called smart sanctions, as well as decisions of the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Even in national settings such as domestic courts, international norms are applied and re-contextualized in “productive” ways.

In short, the global realm is increasingly populated by “constitutionalized” international organizations and an ever broader range of actors with different levels of authority and legitimacy, yet at the same time the implementation of common rules, contracts, and resolutions is contested. In other words, the phenomenon of constitutionalization is accompanied by “contested compliance.” The norms research in international relations and law carried out in this Research Area aims to explore these paradoxical constellations in projects addressing the challenges and opportunities for enhanced justice and legitimacy in the global realm.

Please find selected Research Projects here:

• Geographies of global governance, Philip Liste
• Contestation and constitution in global society, Antje Wiener, Cambridge University Press
• European integration theory, Antje Wiener, Oxford University PressNew international relations theory, Antje Wiener, Philip Liste, co-operation with the Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), and the London School of Economics (LSE)
• Normativity, diversity and cosmopolitan contestation: International relations as intercultural relations, Antje Wiener, Opus Magnum Fellowship, Volkswagen Foundation
• UHH Political Science Lecture Series: European crisis in global perspective – local changes and global developments, Jan Wilkens