Does the State Have a Right to Exist? Dr. Andrew March Explores Philosophical Perspectives at IUS

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, the Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) program at the International University of Sarajevo's Faculty of Business and Administration (FBA) hosted a compelling lecture titled “Does the State Have a Right to Exist?”. The event, organized by Associate Professor Dr. Joseph J. Kaminski, featured Prof. Dr. Andrew F. March from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, one of the foremost contemporary political theorists.

Prof. March presented insights from his latest research paper, addressing profound philosophical and moral questions surrounding the concept of a state's "right to exist." The discussion gained additional relevance in light of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and Israel's repeated assertions of its right to exist. Prof. March examined the implications of ascribing "rights" to abstract entities like states, challenging students to reflect on the nature of such claims.

The lecture differentiated between a legal right, such as recognition by the United Nations, and the moral dimension of a state's right to exist, which is often treated as self-evident. Prof. March scrutinized this moral assertion, comparing it to universally accepted premises such as the right of individuals not to be killed, and questioned whether this moral stance can or should be assumed without further argument.

The engaging presentation inspired a dynamic Q&A session, with students exploring the nuances of this complex issue and exchanging thoughtful perspectives with Prof. March.

The lecture offered a thought-provoking platform for critical analysis, reinforcing IUS's commitment to fostering intellectual engagement on pressing global issues.