Humanitarian Intervention
Ethical, Legal and Political Dilemmas

An interdisciplinary approach to humanitarian intervention by experts in law, politics, and ethics.

J. L. Holzgrefe (Edited by), Robert O. Keohane (Edited by)

9780521821988, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 February 2003

364 pages
23.5 x 15.5 x 2.7 cm, 0.707 kg

'… a rich, consistently well-written, series of articles dealing with humanitarian or human rights intervention. It is an important volume that will be valuable for scholars, students, and policy-makers alike.' International Journal on Minority and Group Rights

'The genocide in Rwanda showed us how terrible the consequences of inaction can be in the face of mass murder. But the conflict in Kosovo raised equally important questions about the consequences of action without international consensus and clear legal authority. On the one hand, is it legitimate for a regional organization to use force without a UN mandate? On the other, is it permissible to let gross and systematic violations of human rights, with grave humanitarian consequences, continue unchecked?' (United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan). This book is a comprehensive, integrated discussion of 'the dilemma' of humanitarian intervention. Written by leading analysts of international politics, ethics, and law, it seeks, among other things, to identify strategies that may, if not resolve, at least reduce the current tension between human rights and state sovereignty. This volume is an invaluable contribution to the debate on all aspects of this vital global issue.

Introduction Robert O. Keohane
Part I. The Context for Humanitarian Intervention: 1. The humanitarian intervention debate J. L. Holzgrefe
2. Humanitarian intervention before and after 9/11: legality and legitimacy Tom J. Farer
Part II. The Ethics of Humanitarian Intervention: 3. The liberal case for humanitarian intervention Fernando R. Tesón
4. Reforming the international law of humanitarian intervention Allen Buchanan
Part III. Law and Humanitarian Intervention: 5. Changing the rules about rules?: unilateral humanitarian intervention and the future of international law Michael Byers and Simon Chesterman
6. Interpretation and change in the law of humanitarian intervention Thomas M. Franck
7. Humanitarian intervention: incremental change versus codification Jane Stromseth
Part IV. The Politics of Humanitarian Intervention: 8. Political authority after intervention: gradations in sovereignty Robert O. Keohane
9. State failure and nation-building Michael Ignatieff.

Subject Areas: International humanitarian law [LBBS], Jurisprudence & philosophy of law [LAB], Human rights [JPVH], International relations [JPS], Political structures: democracy [JPHV], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]