Universalizing the Particular; or, Hotel and Carrier Bag

Nicholson, Matthew

Abstract

This chapter explores the relationship between the universal and the particular in international legal thought. I argue that contemporary, formalist international legal thought prefers the universal to the particular, that this constrains the possibilities for international legal thought, and that the universalization of the particular in and through international law should be pursued. I associate formal universalism with the image of the Bonaventure hotel in Los Angeles, as analysed by cultural theorist Fredric Jameson. Drawing on the feminist literary theory of Ursula K Le Guin, I associate the universalization of the particular with the image of a carrier bag and argue for an understanding of international law as a carrier bag in which to convey particulars.

Citation

Nicholson, M. (2024). Universalizing the Particular; or, Hotel and Carrier Bag. In I. Aral, & J. d'Aspremont (Eds.), International Law and Universality (57-70). Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198899419.003.0004

• Online Publication Date: Apr 23, 2024
• Publication Date: Apr 23, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 23, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 24, 2025
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Pages: 57-70
• Book Title: International Law and Universality
• ISBN: 9780198899440
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198899419.003.0004
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2456737
• Contract Date: Dec 19, 2022