In the established tradition of the Clarendon Law Series, International Law is both an introduction to the subject and a critical consideration of its central themes and debates. Of all legal subjects, international law is at once the most closely connected to related disciplines such as economics and politics, and arguably the least understood, even by lawyers. For the past two decades it has been the focus of intense analysis and comment by legal philosophers, international relations specialists, linguists, professional lawyers, historians, economists, and political scientists, as well as those who study, teach, and practice the discipline. This book explains how through the organizing concepts of territory, sovereignty, and jurisdiction international law seeks to establish a set of principles by which the authority to make and enforce policies is distributed among States.
The opening chapters of the book explain how international law underpins the international political and economic system by establishing the basic principle of the independence of States, and their right to choose their own political, economic, and cultural systems. Subsequent chapters focus on the principles that limit independence and freedom of choice; in particular, the principles of international human rights law and the frameworks for addressing global and economic issues. Two final chapters look at the international law principles applicable to the use of force and action against 'terrorism', and at the processes for the prevention and settlement of international disputes.
About the Author: Vaughan Lowe is Chichele Professor of Public International Law, and a Fellow of All Souls College,University of Oxford
