Doctoral defence: Sevanna Poghosyan "Soviet and Russian Approaches to Democracy in International Law"

On 31 October at 10:00 Sevanna Poghosyan will defend her doctoral thesis “Soviet and Russian Approaches to Democracy in International Law“

Supervisor:

Professor Dr. iur. Lauri Mälksoo, University of Tartu

Opponent:

Professor Prof. Dr. jur. Angelika Helene Anna Nußberger, University of Cologne

Summary: 

The central object of this dissertation is the analysis of Soviet and contemporary Russian approaches to democracy in international law in light of the “democratic entitlement” thesis. It also addresses their approaches to self-determination, viewing it as intrinsically intertwined with democracy in international law. The introductory chapter (compendium) and four articles collectively address the overarching question of this study: has there developed a distinct Russian approach to democracy within international law? The underlying hypothesis assumes continuities between  Soviet and contemporary Russian approaches. 

While addressing the Soviet approach, the study focuses on their official position, primarily in the context of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Regarding contemporary Russia, the analysis focuses on the post-2000 developments until 2024, addressing Russia’s official position in the context of moments signifying turning points in international law, like the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Overall, the findings demonstrate that Russia’s approach to democracy in international law has developed to increasingly mirror Soviet-era practices, showing both breaks and continuities with it. The continuity between these approaches is evident in their formal emphasis on sovereignty and non-interference in international law (for great powers), resisting Western liberal “democratic entitlement,” serving realist end goals. Nonetheless, it lacks a common ideological and consistent conceptual ground. Hence, the claim of a distinct “Russian approach” to democracy in international law is confirmed partially.

The discussion on the impact of the Russian approach on democratic entitlement in international law offers a mixed outlook, both hopeful and concerning for supporters of liberal democracy. It suggests that, despite challenges, the Western liberal paradigm remains the dominant framework for shaping the trajectory of “democratic entitlement” in international law. However, a sovereignty-first approach continues to prevail and challenge it; Franck’s vision of democracy as a universally accepted legal right remains as distant as it was in the 1990s.

Thesis defence link in Zoom: https://ut-ee.zoom.us/j/99723690278?pwd=3FXFEDe9d1WGRObDG9Wh3shWOMpiNS.1

(Meeting ID: 997 2369 0278, Passcode: 262637).