The Cambridge Companion to International Law

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

James Crawford (Edited by), Martti Koskenniemi (Edited by)

9780521143080, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 January 2012

484 pages, 3 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.76 kg

'What the Cambridge Companion will do is to introduce the reader to international law's underlying contradictions, to its regressive tendencies, and to its liberating potential. International law, like all law, is a tool - and as a 'science of the superstructure' it is a tool used mainly to conserve and perpetuate the status quo; the Cambridge Companion comes at it from a decidedly critical (read: progressive) bend, exposes its biases, but also demonstrates how 'small change' may realise its power to liberate and protect.' Antonios Tzanakopoulos, British Yearbook 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.

Introduction James Crawford and Martti Koskenniemi
Part I. The Contexts of International Law: 1. International law in diplomatic history Gerry Simpson
2. International law in the world of ideas Martti Koskenniemi
3. International law as law Frédéric Mégret
Part II. International Law and the State: 4. Statehood: territory, people, government Karen Knop
5. Sovereignty as a legal value James Crawford
6. Exercise and limits of jurisdiction Bruno Simma and Andreas Müller
7. Lawfare and warfare David Kennedy
Part III. Techniques and Arenas: 8. Law-making and sources Hilary Charlesworth
9. International courts: uneven judicialisation in global order Benedict Kingsbury
10. International institutions Jan Klabbers
11. International law and the relativities of enforcement Dino Kritsiotis
Part IV. Projects of International Law: 12. Constituting order Anne Orford
13. Legitimating the international rule of law B. S. Chimni
14. Human rights in disastrous times Susan Marks
15. Justifying justice Sarah Nouwen
16. Regulating trade, investment and money Hélène Ruiz Fabri
17. Divided against itself: aspiration and reality of international law Thomas Pogge
18. Conserving the world's resources? Sundhya Pahuja
Guide to electronic sources of international law Lesley Dingle.

Subject Areas: Public international law [LBB], Law [L], International relations [JPS]