Abstract
The utopian concept, emancipatory idealism is introduced in this chapter. Emancipatory idealists argue that the protection of individuals and groups from modes of oppression, such as war or crimes against humanity, is of paramount importance for the sake of civilisational development, be it on a technological or societal level. Ultimately, emancipatory idealism is an umbrella concept that provides a justification as to why other idealist concepts such as human rights and human dignity should be sought after. Using the works of Hegel, Critical Theorists, Phillip Allot and Anne Peters the substance of emancipatory idealism is explored in order to suggest that when the central aims of the concepts have been sought after, the international legal system has undergone some of its most positive developments.