To what extent does authoritarianism pose a threat to the legitimacy of international law?

Abstract

The period of domination within international law by Western liberal democracies is receding into the past rather quickly. Between America’s disengagement with international law, the immense economic and political power garnered by China, and Russia’s efforts to expand its influence and bolster its position as a counterbalance to Western hegemony, the global geopolitical landscape is undergoing a significant shift marked by diverging interest among major powers. These shifting power dynamics have challenged the traditional narrative of international law.