Ist das magische Großbritannien von Harry Potter ein Staat nach völkerrechtlicher Definition?

Abstract

This paper examines whether Wizarding Britain from the Harry Potter series is a state under international law. In the first part Jellinek’s three-element doctrine is laid out and the question of whether recognition of the state is required is discussed. The article then applies this doctrine to the Harry Potter universe. The approach of assessing the status of a fictitious state enables a discussion of this central question of public international law without getting lost in complex political debates.