Since the creation of the United Nations in 1945, international law has sought to
configure itself as a universal system. Yet, despite the best efforts of international
institutions, scholars and others to assert the universal application of international
law, its relevance and applicability has been influenced, if not directed, by political
power.Today, the "decline of the West" and ascent of China and India
poseparticular challenges for international law and institutions. The international system
appears to be moving towards multipolarity, with various sites of power competing to exert
influence in the world today.
With contributors from a variety of countries providing perspectives from the
disciplines of international law and international relations theory, International Law in
a Multipolar World addresses the implications that multipolarity poses for the
international legal system. Contributors including Jean d'Aspremont, Jörg Kammerhofer,
Alexander Orakhelashvili, Christian Pippan and Nigel White, explore issues such as the use
of force, governance and democracy, regionalism and the relevance of the United Nations in
a multipolar world, while considering the overarching theme of the relationship between
power and law.
International Law in a Multipolar World is of particular interest to academics and
students of public international law, international relations theory and international
politics.
Matthew Happold is Professor of Public International Law at the
University of Luxembourg
Table of Contents
Introduction, Matthew Happold
1. The Security Council, the Security Imperative and International Law,
Nigel D. White
2. Ascertaining Inchoate Threats to International Peace and Security, Isobel
Roele
3. Nuclear Non-Proliferation and the UN Security Council in a Multipolar World:
Can International Law Protect States from the Security Council?, Daniel H.
Joyner
4. Using Force in International Affairs: the Role of International Law in
Contemporary International Politics, Dominika Švarc
5. Russia and the Competing Spheres of Influence: the Case of Georgia, Abkhazia
and South Ossetia, James Summers
6. Hegemony, Multipolarity and the System of International Law, Alexander
Orakhelashvili
7. Orthodox Generalists and Political Activists in International Legal
Scholarship, Jörg Kammerhofer
8. Basic Rights and Global Justice: The Problem of International Coercion,
Silviya Lechner
9. The Duality of the Legitimacy of Global Actors in the International Legal
Order, Jean D'Aspremont and Eric de Brabandere
10. Democracy as a Global Norm: Has It Finally Emerged?, Christian
Pippin
11. International Law and East Asia's Regional Order: The Strengthening of a
Fundamental Institution, Pablo Pareja-Alcaraz
12. Post-Soviet States and International Law in a Multipolar World, Rima
Tkatova
13. Universality, the UN and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference:
Single, Complementary, or Competing Legal Orders?, Katja Samuel
14. The Development of Self-Contained Regimes as an Obstacle to UN Global
Governance, Carmen Draghici
15. The Relationship between Community Law and International Law after Kadi:
Did the ECJ Slam the Door on ‘Effective Multilateralism?, Aurel Sari
352 pages,Hardcover