What’s in a name? International Organizations in Search of an Identity

This review essay discusses Lorenzo Gasbarri’s book which purports to examine an “existential” issue – the concept of an International Organization – with a theoretical approach that makes use of tools of analysis pertaining not only to the field of international law, but also to legal philosophy. After a cursory overview of existing legal research on the subject, the essay dwells on the author’s thesis – namely, the dual nature of International Organizations, based on the dual legal character of their legal systems – and highlights merits and possible drawbacks underlying the attempt to conceptualize International Organizations.