Description
Book SynopsisUnderstanding International Law presents a comprehensive, accessible introduction to the various aspects of international law while addressing its interrelationship with world politics.
Trade Review"Henderson seeks to provide a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field of international law. Addressing its interrelationship with world politics, the text also features chapters on topics such as making the world safer, human rights, the environment and the world economy." (
Times Higher Education, November 2010)
Table of ContentsList of Boxes xi
Preface xiii
List of Abbreviations xiv
Part I Making the World More Lawful 1
1 The Rise of International Law 3
The Nature of International Law 4
The Roles of International Law 6
The Early Beginnings of International Law 9
Dueling Philosophies 13
Contending Modern Approaches 16
Operating Conditions: What Helps and What Hinders? 20
Chapter Summary 22
2 A World of Actors: A Question of Legal Standing 27
Actors 28
The State 28
International Government Organizations 33
Non-government Organizations 36
Multinational Corporations 39
Individuals 42
Insurgents 44
Ethnic Groups 46
Terrorists 49
Mercenaries and Private Military Companies 50
Domestic Actors 51
Chapter Summary 52
3 The Sources of International Law: Creating Law without Government 57
Customary Law 58
Treaty Law 65
The Role of Principles 72
Judges and Publicists 75
Other Sources 77
The Scope of International Law 78
Chapter Summary 79
4 The Efficacy of International Law 85
Legislating International Law 86
Enforcing International Law 90
Adjudicating International Law 94
The Incorporation of International Law 106
Can There Be a Future World Government? 109
Chapter Summary 110
5 Jurisdiction: Domain over Places and Persons 115
Territorial Jurisdiction 116
Law of the Sea 117
Airspace 124
Outer Space 126
Satellites 128
The Polar Regions 130
Nationality 132
Dual Nationality 135
Alien Status 137
Sovereign Immunity and Act of State 140
Extraterritoriality 141
Extradition 143
Chapter Summary 145
Part II Making the World Safer 149
6 Diplomacy in Pursuit of Peace 151
A Brief History of Diplomacy 152
The Rules of Diplomacy for States 155
Two Special Issues concerning Embassies 158
Rules for the Consular Relations of States 160
The Peaceful Settlement of Disputes 163
The Operating Conditions of Diplomacy 166
The Rules of Diplomacy for IGOs 168
The Special Case of the UN 171
Chapter Summary 174
7 Arms Limitations for a Less Violent World 179
A Brief History of Arms Limitations 180
Objectives of Arms Limitations 184
Obstacles to Arms Limitations 185
The Nuclear Regime 187
The Biological Weapons Regime 196
The Chemical Weapons Regime 198
The Missile Control Regime 199
The Conventional Weapons Regime 201
Chapter Summary 206
8 Law to Constrain Force 211
A Brief History of the Laws Governing Force 212
Evolution to UN Law 218
Aggression 220
Self-defense 223
Self-defense in an Age of Terrorism 225
Intervention 229
Peacekeeping 231
Today’s Salient Issues concerning the Laws of War 233
Chapter Summary 241
9 Core International Crimes: Atrocities That Shock the Conscience of Humankind 247
A Brief History of Core International Crimes 248
Crimes Against Peace 251
Crimes against Humanity 252
Genocide 254
The Most Notorious Episodes of Genocide 257
Special Dimensions of Genocide 261
War Crimes 263
The Contributions of International Tribunals 276
Chapter Summary 280
Part III Making the World Better 285
10 Human Rights: Freedom and Protection for Humankind 287
A Brief History of the Human Rights Movement 288
Civil and Political Rights 292
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights 296
Group Rights 300
A Human Rights Frontier? 305
Human Rights Regimes 307
The Role of Non-state Actors 311
Chapter Summary 313
11 The Global Environment in Jeopardy 319
A Brief History of Environmental Developments 320
Atmosphere 324
Water 331
Soil 335
Forests 338
Wildlife 340
The Environment and Human Rights 344
Environmental Governance 346
Chapter Summary 349
12 Rules for Sharing the World’s Wealth 355
A Brief History of Economic Relations 356
Governance from the North 359
Standardizing the Global Economy 363
Intellectual Property Rights 364
Commercial Arbitration 366
Globalism versus Regionalism 368
Governance of the South 370
Four Economic Flows in the North–South Relationship 374
Counter-productive Issues for the Global Economy: Organized Crime,
Corruption, and the Pursuit of Non-economic Goals 380
Chapter Summary 385
Part IV Making the Future 391
13 The Problems and Prospects of International Law 392
Glossary of Terms 396
Bibliography 406
Index 431
