International Law and the Use of Force - (Praeger Security International) by Shirley Scott & Anthony Billingsley & Christopher Michaelsen

About the Book

This book is a discussion of key documents that explain the development, current status, and relevance of the international law governing the initiation of military hostilities.
International Law and the Use of Force: A Documentary and Reference Guide brings to life a crucial body of law, explaining its historical origins, the core rules and principles of the regime embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, and contentious aspects of that law in the contemporary world.

In light of the intensified interest in the question of justified or unjustified use of force, this timely resource introduces and analyzes over 40 documents relating to the legality of the initiation of military hostilities. The volume presents competing assessments of the legality of key uses of force and explains mainstream positions on important issues such as national right to self-defense, anticipatory and preemptive self-defense, terrorism, aggression, and the role of the UN Security Council. The book concludes by assessing whether the international law that seeks to limit the number of wars has in fact made the world a more peaceful place.

• Includes 40 excerpts of original documents on the use of force, including the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons; statements by the presidents of Tanzania and Uganda outlining their policies towards their dispute over domestic repression in Uganda and Ugandan incursions into Tanzanian territory; and the presidential address to the nation on the commencement of military operations in Afghanistan
• Presents 83 photographs, cartoons, and portraits illustrating the characters, events, and developments pertaining to the legality of the use of force
• Offers a select bibliography of books, journal articles, and electronic sources of information on the international law concerning the use of force, its evolution and contemporary relevance
• Includes 57 enlivening sidebars, including factoids, short snippets from related documents, `In History' and `Did You Know?'

Book Synopsis

This book is a discussion of key documents that explain the development, current status, and relevance of the international law governing the initiation of military hostilities.

International Law and the Use of Force: A Documentary and Reference Guide brings to life a crucial body of law, explaining its historical origins, the core rules and principles of the regime embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, and contentious aspects of that law in the contemporary world.

In light of the intensified interest in the question of justified or unjustified use of force, this timely resource introduces and analyzes over 40 documents relating to the legality of the initiation of military hostilities. The volume presents competing assessments of the legality of key uses of force and explains mainstream positions on important issues such as national right to self-defense, anticipatory and preemptive self-defense, terrorism, aggression, and the role of the UN Security Council. The book concludes by assessing whether the international law that seeks to limit the number of wars has in fact made the world a more peaceful place.

Review Quotes

". . . an absolutely vital resource for anyone seeking the latest balanced and reasoned research and extrapolation on its topic." --Midwest Book Review

"This timely book is an excellent introduction to the legal prohibition of the use of force...Although targeted at students and general audiences, it would be a worthwhile addition to academic and law libraries with international law and international relations collections and will serve as a nice complement to research or coursework on the subject. Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through professionals/practitioners; general readers." --Choice

About the Author

Shirley Scott is associate professor in the School of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

Anthony John Billingsley, PhD, is lecturer in the School of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

Christopher Michaelsenis a research fellow at the Law Faculty of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, and specializes in public international law, human rights, and international security.