1st Edition

The Nature of International Law

Edited By Gerry Simpson Copyright 2001

    This title was first published in 2002: The purpose if this volume is to provide a map of some of the great theoretical debates within the discipline of international law. The essays included are structured as dialogues between international legal theorists on concrete subjects such as democracy, gender, compliance, sovereignty and justice. They represent the most interesting theoretical work undertaken in international law.

    Contents: Three Overviews: An anatomy of international thought, Martin Wight; International law and international relations; a dual agenda, Anne-Marie Slaughter Burley; Navigating the new stream: recent critical scholarship in international law, Deborah Z. Cass. Is International Law, Law?: The science of international law: its task and method, Lassa Oppenheim; Is international law really law?, Anthony D'Amato; Positivism, functionalism and international law, Hans J. Morgenthau; Anarchy and the limits of co-operation: a realist critique of the newest liberal institutionalism, Joseph M. Grieco; The view from the New Haven school of international law, W. Michael Reisman; Legitimacy in the international system, Thomas M. Franck. What is the Source of Law?: Ideals and things: international legal scholarship and the prison-house of language, James Boyle. Who are the Primary Actors? Transnational legal process, Harold Hongjn Koh; The future of statehood, Martti Koskenniemi. Is International Law Neutral?: The politics of international law, Martti Koskenniemi; Feminist re/statements: feminism and state sovereignty in international law, Karen Knop; Finding the peripheries: sovereignty and colonialism in 19th-century international law, Anthony Anghie. Is International Law Just?: Is justice relevant to the international legal system?, Thomas M. Franck; Law, justice and the idea of a world society, David Armstrong. Is International Law Democratic?: The Kantian theory of international law, Fernando R. Tesón; The end of history? Reflections on some international legal theses, Susan Marks; Name index.

    Biography

    Gerry Simpson

    ’Serious theoretical analyzes of international law have been all too few and far between. This very valuable collection brings together the best of them and provides a highly informative road map for readers.’ Philip Alston, New York University Law School, USA ’Anyone interested in the key twentieth century debates about the nature(s) of international law will find this book compelling reading. A fascinating array of theorists are brought into provocative conversation with each other, revealing sometimes surprising commonalities and providing new insights into old controversies. The book is a must for international lawyers and international relations scholars.’ Dianne Otto, Senior Lecturer, The University of Melbourne, Australia ’...a valuable collection which helps those catching up on this important area of law.’ Law Society Journal