Aravind Ganesh

Hi, I'm Aravind

I am an Assistant Professor in Law at the University of Sussex. Before this, I was a postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Law, Maastricht University, the Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellow in Law at Oxford Brookes University, and as a re:constitition fellow for the year 2020/21.

My book, 'Rightful Relations with Distant Strangers: Kant, the EU, and the Wider World', (see below) was published in March 2021 by Hart/Bloomsbury Publishing. My monograph is based on my PhD thesis, which was awarded the 2020 René Cassin Thesis Prize (English section).

Alongside Ester Herlin-Karnell and Gerard Conway, I co-authored 'European Union Law in Context', released in September 2021 also by Hart/Bloomsbury Publishing.

My research explores the implications of Kant's philosophy of right for issues of contemporary relevance in various areas of public law. My main interests right now revolve around environmental law, the regulation of 'public goods', and reimagining the law of the sea on Kantian foundations. Please get in touch if you're also interested in these subjects.

You can follow my work on Academia.edu, Researchgate, and SSRN.

Finally, check out my new podcast 'GLAW-Net: Conversations about Globalization and Law', now available on Apple, Spotify, and others.

My book provides a philosophical critique of legal relations between the EU and 'distant strangers' neither located within, nor citizens of, its Member States. Starting with the EU's commitment in Articles 3(5) and 21 TEU to advance democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in 'all its relations with the wider world', I examine in detail salient EU and international legal materials and thereafter critique them in the light of a theory of just global legal relations derived from Kant's philosophy of right. In so doing, I depart from comparable Kantian scholarship on the EU by centering the discussion not around the essay Toward Perpetual Peace, but around the Doctrine of Right, Kant's final and comprehensive statement of his general theory of law.

The book thus sheds light on areas of EU law (EU external relations law, standing to bring judicial review), public international law (jurisdiction, state responsibility, global public goods) and human rights (human rights jurisdiction), and also critiques the widespread identification of the EU as a Kantian federation of peace.

The book is based on my doctoral thesis, which won the 2020 René Cassin Thesis Prize (English section).

'Ganesh has managed to deliver a highly original account of both jurisdiction in international

and EU law, and of Kantian legal philosophy. His book offers an insightful theorization of the

EU and its role in the world – and at the same time an often harsh (but all too justified) critique

of the ways in which that role is given shape. He helpfully illustrates many of the more abstract

and theoretical concepts developed in the book – the distinction between power and authority,

between harms and wrongs, or the importance of a “rightful condition” in Kantian legal

philosophy – through some very enlightening examples.'

- Joris van der Riet, Common Market Law Review

This textbook provides an explanatory and contextual view of EU law and its impact in a simple and easily accessible yet analytical manner. It illustrates the power struggles behind a given EU law act, to allow for full understanding of how it developed. This allows the student to understand EU law as a force in the increasingly globalized world, rather than as technical and doctrinal subject.

The textbook begins by setting the scene of EU integration, how we got there and why it is important. Thereafter it explores the constitutional framework for understanding EU law in context and by discussing inter alia, division of competences, accountability, legitimacy, enforcement, human rights, participation rights and so on as well as the general principles of the EU and citizenship rights. Subsequently the textbook explores the essentials of the internal market as well as the principles of competition law. It also discusses free movement rights and links to the growing “Area of Freedom, Security and Justice”. Finally the textbook offers fresh insights on the external dimension of EU law and the role of the EU in the world today before concluding with an outlook on the future of EU law including the consequences of events such as Brexit.

Looking for another Aravind Ganesh? Maybe you're thinking of the Rhodes scholar, neurosurgeon, stand-up comedian, start-up founder and public health advocate.

If you like the photos here, maybe this might interest you.

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