International law- or rules-based international order? The politics of international law in comparative perspectiveBrglez, Milan (Avtor) comparative politicsinternational law-based order (ILBO)liberal international order (LIO)rules-based international order (RBOstrategic legalismThe article analyses contemporary contestation over global order by distinguishing between an international law-based order (ILBO) and a rules-based international order (RBO). It argues that the post2008 polycrises and the multipolarisation of the international community have weakened the institutional effectiveness of the liberal international order (LIO) and reopened the question of legitimate legality. The article compares the ILBO, anchored in sources doctrine, the Charter of the United Nations, and interpretative methods of international law, with the RBO as a broader and more politically interpretative framework. The comparison is organised around three criteria: normative structure, institutional infrastructure, and enforcement. The article then develops a comparative typology of state strategies and draws on Critical Legal Studies to understand international law as a field of political struggle. It concludes by developing strategic legalism as a way for small states to use international law relationally when managing power asymmetries within the international community20262026-09-03 15:21:21Članek v reviji186640UDK: 061.1EUISSN pri članku: 1338-1385COBISS_ID: 286501891sl