Description
Book SynopsisLaw, War and Crime examines the meaning of war crime trials and their cultural and political effects. Gerry Simpson traces the development the origins of the war crimes field from the outlawing of piracy to contemporary war crimes trials, and situates the phenomenon in the context of broader social and political forces.
Trade Review"Masterfully written, blending reflective discussion of overarching theoretical and conceptual questions with authoritative detail drawn from a wide range of cases."
International Affairs
"A book that could be produced only by someone fully versed in their field ... from argument structure to style, Law, War and Crime is to be recommended."
Modern Law Review "A fresh addition to the vast literature on international criminal law precisely because it comprehensively addresses the structural tendencies that characterize international criminal law."
Finnish Yearbook of International Law
"Offers a significant contribution to the globally important subject of international criminal law by exploring the tensions prevalent in international trials ... it is well written and provides unique insight into considerably challenging issues."
Political Studies Review
"Opens one's eyes to the use and abuse of criminal law in the context of international politics and war."
Law Institute Journal
"This is an outstanding book that is a must read for anyone interested in international criminal tribunals. It is sophisticated and erudite in its analysis, beautifully written, concise yet supported with detailed research and well timed."
Alex Bellamy, University of Queensland
"Law, War and Crime is a substantial scholarly achievement, and I hope it will be politically influential, not so much for any specific position the book espouses, but for its sophistication, care and humanity. Gerry Simpson has lawyerly intellectual virtues that are sorely needed by the international community as it begins to institutionalize criminal law. Simpson writes with discipline instead of mere fervor, and skillfully mediates between factual detail and grand theme. Rarest of all, Simpson understands that unresolvable arguments create discursive spaces where politics, including law, can happen. Bravo!"
David A. Westbrook, University at Buffalo Law School
"Masterfully written, and hugely topical ? this is a must read for all those interested in international law, foreign affairs and war."
Ruti Teitel, New York Law School
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements viii
Preface 1
1 Law’s Politics: War Crimes Trials and Political Trials 11
2 Law’s Place: Internationalism and Localism 30
3 Law’s Subjects: Individual Responsibility and Collective Guilt 54
4 Law’s Promise: Punishment, Memory and Dissent 79
5 Law’s Anxieties: Show Trials 105
6 Law’s Hegemony: The Juridifi cation of War 132
7 Law’s Origins: Pirates 159
8 Law’s Fate 178
Notes 180
Select Bibliography 194
Index 210
