"China Mieville's brilliantly original book is an indispensable guide for anyone concerned with international law. It is the most comprehensive scholarly account available of the central theoretical debates about the foundations of international law. It offers a guide for the lay reader into the central texts in the field."--Peter Gowan, Professor, International Relations, London Metropolitan University. Mieville critically examines existing theories of international law and offers a compelling alternative Marxist view. China Mieville, PhD, International Relations, London School of Economics, is an independent researcher and an award-winning novelist. His novel Perdido Street Station won the Arthur C. Clarke Award.
International Law is both an introduction to the subject and a critical consideration of its central themes and debates. 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 then focus on considerations that limit national freedom of choice (e.g. human rights, the interconnected global economy, the environment). Through the organizing concepts of territory, sovereignty, and jurisdiction the book shows how international law seeks to achieve an established set of principles according to which the power to make and enforce policies is distributed among States.
This book explores key innovations in Rwandan law, exploring how the homegrown legal system with the civil law and common law legal systems. The author explores the history of Rwandan law through pre-colonial, to colonial and post-independence periods, examines the homegrown legal and justice approaches, such as Gacaca, Abunzi and Imihigo, introduced in post genocide Rwanda to deal with legal problems that could not be dealt with using the western legal system; and highlights the innovative Rwandan approach to incorporating international law in the domestic legal system. The book also covers the evolution of the Rwandan Constitutional Law and Constitutionalism since independence; the development of family law from a legal system that oppressed women to one that promotes girls and women rights. Finally, the book explores the contribution of common law in the transformation of the organization, jurisdiction and functioning of Rwandan Courts. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of African law, international law and the legal system in Rwanda.
This Oxford Handbook examines the sources of international law, how the understanding of sources changed throughout the history of international law; how the main legal theories understood sources; the relationship between sources and the legitimacy of international law; and how sources differ across the various sub-areas of international law.
Akehurst’s Modern Introduction to International Law continues to offer a concise and accessible overview of the concepts, themes and issues central to international law. This fully updated eighth edition encompasses the plethora of recent developments and updates in the field, and includes new dedicated chapters on international human rights, self-determination and international economic relations, an extended history and theory section reflecting the evolution of new and critical approaches in the field and a greater focus on terrorism and international criminal law. New and updated chapters include: Creation and recognition of States Territory Law of the sea Immunities State succession Nationality and individual rights Protection of the environment Settlement of disputes Use of force and armed conflict With a distinctive cross-jurisdictional approach which opens up the discipline to students from all backgrounds, this book will arm the reader with all the tools, methods and concepts they need to fully understand this complex and diverse subject. As such, this is an essential text for students of international law, government and politics, international relations, and a multitude of related subject areas. This textbook is supported by a companion website: www.routledge.com/cw/orakhelashvili.
Because of its unique nature, the sources of international law are not always easy to identify and interpret. This book provides an ideal introduction to these sources for anyone needing to better understand where international law comes from. As well as looking at treaties and custom, the book will look at more modern and controversial sources.
International Law: Text, Cases and Materials provides not only an essential introduction to the core concepts and foundational principles of international law, but also a detailed overview of each established area in which international law operates. Featuring cases, materials, and illustrative figures throughout to enhance the level of context and detail provided, the book covers everything a student of international law requires. Topics include the law of treaties, international organisations, the international protection of human rights, responsibility in international law, jurisdiction, diplomatic and consular law, territory in international law, the law of the sea, international air and space law, international economic law, international environmental law, and international humanitarian law. This comprehensive textbook will be essential reading not only for any course on international law, but also as a starting point for those wishing to grasp the context of a particular area of international law before exploring further.