Not a Threat, an Opportunity: Regional Approaches and the Future of International Law

The discourse of international law has always been careful to denounce anything that could undermine the universality of international law. Consequently, it has developed new ideas and mechanisms that can help to curb any risk of fragmentation. In parallel with this movement, there are increasingly pressing calls for greater consideration of multiculturalism and pluralism in international law. The present reflection focuses on the articulation of these two movements by asking whether regional approaches to international law (RAIL) pose a real threat to the coherence and integrity of international law. The article concludes that RAIL can—under certain conditions—be a source of enrichment and consolidation of international law.