Critical Perspectives on International Law

International law has evolved in the context of dispute-resolution between states. Conduct within the boundaries of a state has traditionally been protected from the scrutiny of international law. Yet in recent decades, humanitarian concerns, environmental concerns, and economic concerns have all contributed to the erosion of the defensive sovereignty of states. At the same time the function and status of the United Nations has undergone massive transformations, from its balancing role during the Cold War to its virtual occlusion by the "Coalition of the Willing" of 2003. This book is informed by an awareness of issues of globalisation and of cosmopolitanism, as representing some of the contemporary challenges to and environment for international law. It draws heavily on recent international events to provide a backdrop to the analysis of relevant legal principles. The areas of international law explored most extensively are (i) how the system can be made to operate effectively, including the enforcement of international law; (ii) human rights law; (iii) humanitarian intervention; and (iv) refugee law.Bagaric, Mirko is the author of 'Critical Perspectives on International Law', published 2006 under ISBN 9780754645719 and ISBN 0754645711.