The Many Paths of Change in International Law: A Frame

Abstract

How does international law change? This question, fundamental but empirically understudied, is the focus of the volume. This introductory chapter sets out the conceptual and theoretical framework for understanding change processes and it develops specific conjectures about how and when change occurs. It centres on an ideal-typical model of five ‘pathways’ of change through which change attempts are usually channelled, and it highlights the importance of theorizing change as the result of different stages with distinct dynamics and sets of actors involved. It also outlines four core factors influencing the likelihood of success of change processes, thereby drawing together theoretically derived expectations with insights from a wealth of cases of change over the past decades. The chapter concludes with an overview of the chapters of the volume, highlighting their particular contributions in the context of the project framework.