Meta-legal categories in the general theory of law and international legal studies (brief historiography of the issue)

Introduction. The paper carries out a review of the main theoretical positions aimed at finding alternative bases for meta-legal research; raises the question about the appropriateness of using meta-legal categories without taking into account the context of disciplinary differences. Purpose is to determine the context of using meta-legal categories in the science of international law. Methods. The research uses the general scientific methods of historicism, systematicity, analysis, as well as the comparative legal method. Results. The restrictive limits of using meta-legal categories are determined. Conclusions. The justification of meta-legal categories is connected with solving the issue of the legal status of the international community, taking into account the differences in the legal systems, as well as the civilizational factor.