Rethinking International Law: Emotions and Terrorism in the Eastern Question (1870-1930)

The history of emotions is a well-developed field in the humanities, yet Western legal traditions often upholds a dichotomy between rationality and emotion, deeming the latter inferior. However, more recent legal scholarly works are challenging this rationalist perspective, acknowledging the emotional dimensions of law. Despite international law's nascent recognition of this ‘affective turn’, its integration remains limited within legal history. This research explores the interplay of law, emotions, and international relations from a historical perspective, critically reassessing international law's rationalism and its Eurocentric and state-centric biases, which contribute to democratic disenchantment.
The study focuses on fear, defined as a reduction in confidence among decision-makers and local actors, examining its influence on legal protection, decisions, and public trust. It particularly explores terrorism, conceptualized through its etymological association with fear, within the context of 19th-century political violence and warfare involving non-state actors. Two historical case studies from the late Ottoman Empire—the Armenian fedayi and the Macedonian comitadji—are analyzed to understand the implications of labeling such actors as ‘terrorists’ and the broader impact on imperial and international security.
Utilizing diverse sources, including diplomatic reports, legislative texts, and popular literature, my research project ‘ECHO’ aims to uncover the ‘culture of fear’ and its influence on legal narratives. The study integrates recent epistemological developments in international law, feminist and decolonial approaches, and interdisciplinary methodologies, offering a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted dimensions of law. ECHO explores and highlights the interconnected themes of emotions, critical studies, history, international law, and the Ottoman Empire, emphasizing their enduring influence and interconnections.

The history of emotions is well-studied, but it remains neglected if not scorned in the legal field, where rationality has long been the main accepted norm. However, recent scholarly works argue that law is deeply intertwined with emotions. My research project ‘ECHO’ explores the role of emotions – and most specifically of fear – in shaping international law, challenging its rationalist and Eurocentric biases, which contribute to public dissatisfaction. Focusing on historical examples from the late Ottoman Empire, it examines how fear influenced legal protection and public trust. By studying diverse sources such as diplomatic reports and popular literature, my project aims to understand the 'culture of fear' and its impact on legal narratives. Integrating feminist and decolonial perspectives, ECHO offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary understanding of the emotional dimensions of law, reflecting the interconnected themes of emotions, critical studies, history, international law, and the Ottoman Empire.