Global justice—understood as accountability for international crimes—took root in the multipolar post-war era, stalled during the bipolar Cold War, and experienced a remarkable growth spurt during the decades of unipolar U.S. dominance. As we again find ourselves in a world with multiple centers of political, military, and economic power, the global justice project continues to evolve. Some commentators predict its decline, or even its demise. In this lecture, I offer a more optimistic view. First, I argue that the core norms of global justice—the prohibitions of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression—remain strong. Second, although the institutions responsible for enforcing these norms, such as the International Criminal Court, face serious challenges, other means of enforcement are emerging. These developments may ultimately produce a global justice architecture that is more equitable and better equipped to meet the complex and shifting demands of a rapidly changing world.
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