14 December 2026. Anarchist theory and international law: A Masterclass with Professor James Martel, San Francisco State University

Monday, 14 December 2026

12:00 - 2:00 pm

Room 1002, Melbourne Law School

From Anarchy: A Journal of Desire Armed , Number 22 (Nov.-Dec. 1989).

Without international law, we are often told, the world would be subject to the forces of anarchy.  But while the imagined dangers of anarchy have long worked to authorise international law, the relationship between anarchism as a political theory and international law as a historical, theoretical and institutional project are not well understood. As many aspects of the international legal system appear to be collapsing, it is vitally important that we think carefully and well about the relationship between order and chaos, authority and responsibility, and institutions and collectives. In this masterclass, leading US political scientist Professor James Martel will introduce key concepts in anarchist theory and how they relate to systems of international ordering. In preparation for the discussion, participants will read one canonical text in anarchist theory, together with an extract from Professor Martel's work.

Limited places are available. Please contact Dr Richard Joyce at richard.joyce@unimelb.edu.au if you are interested in participating.