Collective Self-Defence in International Law

Examines the conceptual nature of collective self-defence in international law, the requirements for its operation, and how they apply.

James A. Green (Author)

9781009406383, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 January 2024

388 pages
23.5 x 16 x 2.5 cm, 0.711 kg

Collective self-defence can be defined as the use of military force by one or more states to aid another state that is an innocent victim of armed attack. However, it is a legal justification that is open to abuse and its exercise risks escalating conflict. Recent years have seen an unprecedented increase in the number of collective self-defence claims. It has been the main basis for US-led action in Syria (2014-) and was advanced by Russia in relation to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine (2022-). Yet there still has been little analysis of collective self-defence in international law. This book crucially progresses the debate on various fundamental and under-explored questions about the conceptual nature of collective self-defence and the requirements for its operation. Green provides the most detailed and extensive account of collective self-defence to date, at a time when it is being invoked more than ever before.

Introduction
1. Delineating collective self-defence
2. The history and development of collective Self-defence
3. The requirements shared by individual and collective self-defence
4. The purported declaration and request requirements for collective self-defence
5. The issuer of a collective self-defence request
6. The manner and form of a collective self-defence request
7. Collective self-defence treaty arrangements
8. The relationship between collective self-defence and military assistance on request
Conclusion
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Public international law [LBB]