Unpacking the interplay of class, production, and sustainable development in international environmental law through the lens of Evgeny Pashukanis’ commodity theory

Abstract

This study delves into the intricate relationship between sustainable development, International Environmental Law, and capitalist power dynamics. By applying Evgeny Pashukanis’ commodity theory as a theoretical framework, the paper seeks to critically examine the interplay between class, production, and sustainable development within the realm of International Environmental Law. Drawing on the historical roots of International Law in European imperialism, the paper exposes the instrumental role played by International Law in justifying the plundering of new lands and the imposition of universal values and norms. It argues that International Law becomes a legal justification for capitalist states to continue their economic expansion while concealing underlying class struggles behind principles such as equal sovereignty and self-determination. Moreover, the study shed light on the emergence of sustainable development as a necessary adaptation to cope with the unsustainable use of natural resources. It reveals how International Environmental Law serves the expansion of global capitalism by maintaining the exchanges between the natural world and capital through policies and regulations. The fetishism over sustainable development, disguised as a conservancy and environmental protection, becomes a tool for capital survival within the natural world’s limits, perpetuating developed countries’ colonial ventures and further subordinating developing nations. It exposes the contradictions and tensions in pursuing economic growth and environmental preservation. It calls for a more equitable and inclusive approach that recognizes diverse perspectives and dismantles the legal structures perpetuating power imbalances. Ultimately, this research stimulates academic discourse and offers new insights into the complex intersections of class, production, and sustainable development within International Environmental Law.