Politics & Governance / Law & Institutions / International Law & Treaties
The 2000-Year-Old Legal Loophole That Lets Empires Erase Anyone
Fictions of Legitimate Violence
Imagine a regime wants to crush you—no war declared, no trial, no evidence. They just slap a 2000-year-old label on you, and you're erased from the protection of law. This video dives into the research of scholar Sanja Schillings, from her book *Fictions of Legitimate Violence*, revealing how the concept of 'hostis humani generis' (enemy of all humankind) has been used for millennia to justify unlimited violence. From Roman pirates to modern terrorists, we trace how this legal fiction bypasses treaties, sovereignty, and morality. Featuring insights from Cicero, Augustine, and modern thinkers like Noam Chomsky, this video will rewire how you view justice, borders, and power. Watch to understand the dangerous game that still plays out today—and why you might be next.
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