"From an exotic specialization on the fringes of the law school, international law has turned during the last century into a ubiquitous presence in global policy-making as well as in academic and journalistic commentary on such policy-making. With internationalization first, globalization later, questions about the legality under international treaties or customary law of this or that action were posed with increasing urgency in the media and by citizen activists as well as by governments and international institutions"--

A concise, intellectually rigorous and politically and theoretically informed introduction to the context, grammar, techniques and projects of international law.

This intellectually rigorous introduction to international law encourages readers to engage with multiple aspects of the topic: as 'law' directing and shaping its subjects; as a technique for governing the world of states and beyond statehood; and as a framework within which several critical and constructivist projects are articulated. The articles situate international law in its historical and ideological context and examine core concepts such as sovereignty, jurisdiction and the state. Attention is also given to its operation within international institutions and in dispute settlement, and a separate section is devoted to international law's 'projects': protecting human rights, eradicating poverty, the conservation of resources, the regulation of international trade and investment and the establishment of international order. The diverse group of contributors draws from disciplinary orientations ranging from positivism to postmodernism to ensure that this book is informed theoretically and politically, as well as grounded in practice.

An authoritative introduction to international criminal law written by renowned international lawyers, judges, prosecutors, criminologists and historians.

As international law has become more present in global policy-making, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has come to occupy an essential and increasingly visible role in international relations. This collection explores substantive developments within the ICJ and offers critical perspectives on its historical and contemporary role. It also examines the growing role of the ICJ in the settlement of international disputes and assesses the impact of the ICJ's jurisprudence on the major areas of international law, from the territorial delimitation to human rights. With contributions from a diverse range of scholars and practitioners, the collection's contents combine a legal perspective with institutional and sociological insights on the functions of the ICJ. By considering the ICJ's character, jurisdiction and effectiveness, this collection offers a varied and holistic account of the International Court of Justice, an institution whose significance and influence only increase by the day.

Examining the fulfilment of international obligations by subjects of this law, this book explores the normative and functional links between the sources and rules of international law on the one hand, and the responsibility for violating international law on the other. In the sphere of law-making, the theory of obligations allows for a more precise and considered formulation of international obligations. It has the potential to enable subjects of international law to behave more rationally, allowing deeper reflection on whether to take on obligations and how to properly perform them. This book proposes a new approach to the issue of the proper operation of international law, with the theory of obligations at its heart. Linking the institutions and concepts of international law into a rational whole, the book offers an analysis of the operation of international law and the behaviour of its subjects to develop a framework for ensuring the ultimate effectiveness of international law. Analysing sources of law including treaties and common law, alongside the resolutions of international organisations, this book demonstrates the practical application of the subject with reference to the jurisprudence of international courts and other bodies. The volume will be of interest to scholars, students, and practitioners concerned with international law – its creation, performance, application, compliance, and enforcement.

In a world full of armed conflict and human misery, global justice remains one of the most compelling missions of our time. Understanding the promises and limitations of global justice demands a careful appreciation of international law, the web of binding norms and institutions that help govern the behaviour of states and other global actors. This book provides a new interdisciplinary approach to global justice, one that integrates the work and insights of international law and contemporary ethics. It asks whether the core norms of international law are just, appraising them according to a standard of global justice derived from the fundamental values of peace and the protection of human rights. Through a combination of a careful explanation of the legal norms and philosophical argument, Ratner concludes that many international law norms meet such a standard of justice, even as distinct areas of injustice remain within the law and the verdict is still out on others. Among the subjects covered in the book are the rules on the use of force, self-determination, sovereign equality, the decision making procedures of key international organizations, the territorial scope of human rights obligations (including humanitarian intervention), and key areas of international economic law. Ultimately, the book shows how an understanding of international law's moral foundations will enrich the global justice debate, while exposing the ethical consequences of different rules.