United States Hegemony and the Foundations of International Law

by Edited by Michael Byers , Georg Nolte

• ISBN13: 9780521050869
• ISBN10: 0521050863
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-01-21
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Twelve leading scholars of international law and international relations consider whether the current strength of the United States is leading to change in the international legal system. This book demonstrates that the effects of U.S. domination of the foundations of international law are real, but also intensely complex. The volume stimulates debate about the role of the United States in international law and interests scholars of international law and international relations, government officials and international organizations.

Table of Contents

List of contributors

Preface

Introduction: the complexities of foundational change

International Community

The international community, international law and the United States: three in one, two against one, or one and the same?

The influence of the United States on the concept of the -International Community

Comments on chapters 1 and 2

Sovereign Equality

Sovereign equality: -the Wimbledon sails on

More equal than the rest? Hierarchy, equality and US predominance in international law

Comments on chapters 4 and 5

Use of Force

The use of force by the United States after the end of the Cold War, and its impact on international law

Bending the law, breaking it, or developing it? The United States and the humanitarian use of force in the post-Cold War era

Comments on chapters 7 and 8

Customary International Law

Powerful but unpersuasive? The role of the United States in the evolution of customary international law

Hegemonic custom?

Comments on chapters 10 and 11

Law of Treaties

The effects of US predominance on the elaboration of treaty regimes and on the evolution of the law of treaties

US reservations to human rights treaties: all for one and none for all?

Comments on chapters 13 and 14

Compliance

The impact on international law of US noncompliance

Compliance: multilateral achievements and predominant powers

Comments on chapters 16 and 17

Conclusion

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.