BRICS Countries and Approaches to International Law

The article deals with issues, related to the functioning of international law in the current International Relations. It claims that in the absence of universal authority in global affairs, the interpretation and implementation of law depends on the specific legal traditions of states. Therefore, their comparative analysis is essential to understand prospects of enforcement of international norms, as well as general prospects of the international legal order. This is especially true in regards to the major centers of power in international affairs, including both established and emerging powers. A retrospective analysis of the Anglo-Saxon system of "common law" is provided. The paper emphasizes that the case-based approach to international law, together with the ability to interpret the law in the interests of one great power, poses a threat of the establishment of a unipolar world. The article gives a detailed description of specific features of the "continental" legal system, such as the rigidity of the law that, on the one hand, makes it less adaptable to the changing environment, and on the other hand, constitutes international law as a mechanism of regulation of relations. The paper highlights the attitude of BRICS countries to international law through the prism of civilization aspects, together with the contribution of the member countries in strengthening the international legal framework. The article provides recommendations for BRICS countries on their possible contribution to the advancement of international law, as well as on the development of an agreed position on the most important legal and political issues among participating countries.

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