In this Foreword, Professor Chimni highlights the lack of epistemic capacity within mainstream international law to respond to the rise of an illiberal global order, which is driven by imperialism and capitalism. In doing so, he emphasises the importance of subaltern perspectives and alternative epistemologies in critiquing capitalism, imperialism, militarism and the political economy of global conflict while relying on thinkers such as Rosa Luxemburg. The Foreword cautions against superficial forms of critique and calls for deeper engagement with structural issues of class and capitalism alongside race and gender. He ultimately urges critical scholars to use international law as a tool of resistance, reform and political imagination for oppressed peoples.
