Collective Security
Theory, Law and Practice

A systematic analysis and assessment of the institutional, operational, legal and accountability parameters of the United Nations collective security system.

Nicholas Tsagourias (Author), Nigel D. White (Author)

9781316603468, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 March 2016

518 pages
23 x 15.2 x 2.7 cm, 0.8 kg

This analysis of collective security covers its institutional, operational and legal parameters along with the United Nations system, presenting it as a global public order institution for maintaining peace. The authors study its constitutional premises as they are shaped by the forces of law and politics. After an historical account of initiatives and projects for global peace, the authors explain the morphology of collective security as a global public order institution and outline its triggers, institutions, actors, components and tools. They go on to analyse its legal properties and the processes of political, legal and criminal accountability. The analysis and assessment are informed throughout by practice drawn from examples including Korea, Iraq and Libya, and by a wealth of cases from national and international jurisdictions.

Part I. The Concept of Collective Security: 1. Collective security: a historical journey
2. The morphology of collective security
3. Triggers, actors and institutions
Part II. Collective Security Components: 4. States and collective security
5. The United Nations
6. Regional organisations
7. Private military and security companies
Part III. Collective Security Tools: 8. The settlement of disputes and preventive security
9. State-building
10. Sanctions
11. Military security
Part IV. Legal Management of Collective Security: 12. Law as internal facilitator, regulator or constraint
13. Law as external facilitator, regulator or constraint
14. The management of normative conflicts
Part V. Accountability in Collective Security: 15. Accountability in collective security
16. International responsibility and liability
17. Individual criminal responsibility
18. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: International organisations & institutions [LBBU], Public international law [LBB], Law [L], International relations [JPS]