UNAIR NEWS The Faculty of Law () at 51 () hosted a guest lecture titled Dispute Resolution Mechanism: International Law and Global Politics on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The event took place at the AG Pringgodigdo Building and featured Randy Wirasta Nandyatama, S.IP., M.Sc., Ph.D., a lecturer in International Relations at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). The session explored the role of Dispute Settlement Mechanisms (DSM) in the context of international law and global politics.
The lecture focused on how DSM can be analyzed through three key perspectives in international relations: realism, liberalism, and constructivism. Nandyatama highlighted a central challenge in global politics: how international actors reconcile collective goals with competing national interests.
DSM in the perspectives of realism and liberalism
From a realist perspective, international relations are characterized by competition for power in an anarchic system. States are the primary actors and operate under a self-help system to safeguard their survival. Power is the defining factor in international politics because it determines who can influence whom, Nandyatama said.
He added that, under realism, international law and institutions are often seen as tools used by powerful states. In this view, the DSM is only effective when it is backed by major powers with clear interests in maintaining it. Realism warns against placing too much trust in international law and institutions for security, as power ultimately dictates outcomes, he noted.
In contrast, liberalism views international law as a mechanism for turning conflict into cooperation. International institutions are considered essential in reducing uncertainty among states. Nandyatama explained that these institutions are effective only when they provide clear and tangible benefits to their members.
He also emphasized the role of non-state actors in strengthening global cooperation. According to him, the effectiveness of DSM depends in part on the level of trust and investment from a wide range of actors. As a result, international law is shaped not only by states but also by broader participation from multiple stakeholders.
Constructivism and the role of norms in global politics
From a constructivist standpoint, international politics is shaped not only by material power but also by norms and identities. States act based on the logic of appropriateness, meaning they choose actions that align with accepted norms. International actors are guided not only by what benefits them, but also by what aligns with their values, he explained.
He noted that DSM can function effectively only when there is a shared understanding of norms among actors. Without such consensus, legal mechanisms risk becoming symbolic rather than enforceable. For this reason, the spread and internalization of norms are critical to strengthening international law.
Nandyatama argued that these challenges cannot be addressed by powerful states acting alone. All actors must work together, supported by strong compliance mechanisms, to ensure that solutions move beyond formal agreements, he said. He concluded by emphasizing that international law serves not only as a technical framework but also as a means of shaping behavior. When global norms are fully internalized, DSM will be seen not as an imposed obligation, but as a collective necessity.
Author: Muhammad Afriza Atarizki
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
