International Law: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #449

by Vaughan Lowe

Interest in international law has increased greatly over the past decade, largely because of its central place in discussions such as the Iraq War and Guantanamo, the World Trade Organisation, the anti-capitalist movement, the Kyoto Convention on climate change, and the apparent failure of the international system to deal with the situations in Palestine and Darfur, and the plights of refugees and illegal immigrants around the world.This Very Short Introduction explains what international law is, what its role in international society is, and how it operates. Vaughan Lowe examines what international law can and cannot do and what it is and what it isn't doing to make the world a better place. Focussing on the problems the world faces, Lowe uses terrorism, environmental change, poverty, and international violence to demonstrate the theories and practice of international law, and how the principles can be used forinternational co-operation.

Genres: Law, Politics, Nonfiction, History, Education, Academic, Reference

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2016

Reviews

[Cephalopodophil. · Rating 5 out of 5]

เสน่ห์อย่างหนึ่งของการเรียนกฎหมายระหว่างประเทศคือการเริ่มต้นด้วยคำถามเชิงอภิปรัชญาสุดคลาสสิกที่ว่า "กฎหมายคืออะไร" เนื่องด้วยสภาพของกฎหมายระหว่างประเทศซึ่งเป็นกฎเกณฑ์ที่ตั้งอยู่บนอธิปไตยของรัฐที่ต่างก็มีบริบททางการเมือง สังคม และเศรษฐกิจที่แตกต่างกัน ทำให้เราไม่เพียงแต่ต้องกลับมาทบทวนประเด็นกฎหมายที่เป็นเรื่องระหว่างประเทศเท่านั้น หากแต่ยังต้องทบทวนปัญหาเชิงภววิทยาและจริยศาสตร์ของกฎหมายภายในประเทศด้วย ในหนังสือ กฎหมายระหว่างประเทศ: ความรู้ฉบับพกพา Vaughan Lowe พาเราไปสำรวจคำตอบของคำถามดังกล่าว รวมถึงอธิบายหลักกฎหมายระหว่างประเทศพื้นฐาน ผ่านการใช้ตัวอย่างคัดสรรที่น่าสนใจและหลากหลาย ไม่ว่าจะเป็นการยกตัวอย่างกฎหมายจากประเทศในภูมิภาคตะวันออก หรือการใช้ตัวอย่างจากวรรณกรรมเพื่อชี้ให้เห็นสปิริตของ "มนุษยชาติ" หรือ "ความเป็นสากล" ที่แฝงอยู่ในกฎหมายระหว่างประเทศ ประทับใจที่สุดคือบทสุดท้ายที่ผู้เขียนยอมรับ (ด้วยน้ำเสียงที่ถ่อมตน) ถึงข้อจำกัดของกฎหมายระหว่างประเทศที่เป็นเพียง "เครื่องมือ" อันมีข้อจำกัดทางในตัวมันเองและไม่ใช่ยาวิเศษที่สามารถรักษาได้ทุกโรค เครื่องมือนี้ชิ้นนี้จึงจะไม่สามารถอำนวย "ความยุติธรรม" ได้เลย หากปราศจากความร่วมมือของพวกเราในฐานะพลเมืองโลกที่จะร่วมร่างกติกาและใช้บังคับกติกาเหล่านั้นร่วมกันเพื่อสร้างสังคมที่เราอยากจะเห็นและไปอยู่

[Cailin Deery]

This quick overview covers (very briefly) a potted history of the origins of international law, how it’s implemented today, what it does well, and what it does badly or not at all (more so to address misperceptions than to offer criticism). The notes and explanations I’ve taken down are pretty difficult to condense into a fluid overview, so I’ve organized them roughly around questions.

Where does international law come from?

International law focuses on the relationship between independent sovereign States, of which there are nearly 200 today. The ‘rules’ of international law stem from treaties and customary international law; treaties are straightforward enough, but customary international law presents far more complex and interpretive challenges. Customary international law is essentially State practice, but that soon becomes complicated. What counts as practice? Which states, and how many? How consistent does practice have to be before it’s customary? Over what period of time should practice be examined? How should silence be interpreted? Where do international organizations or non-state actors (like the Red Cross, Amnesty International, multinational corporations) fit in? Resolutions of the UN or other international organizations cannot make international law, though these may be made in observation of international law.

What can’t international law do?

Really, international law is more of a source of record. When States come to an agreement, it’s then written into law in the form of a treaty (or convention or protocol or charter… I never previously understood the differences, but the names merely reflect style and diplomatic tradition and aren’t themselves different instruments). What international law doesn’t do is offer an innovative solution where States are radically divergent. Also, unfortunately, international law itself cannot administer international justice

Okay, but does the UN enforce international law?

Eh, kinda. The UN is an example of something that international law is doing well: facilitating State cooperation. The UN is really just a space for diplomacy, discussion, international understanding and decisions. A tiny proportion of these are then recorded as resolutions or treaties (as we saw last week with the resolution on Syria), though for the most part the function of the UN is just to be there, not to do anything.

However, the UN does have an expert body: the International Law Commission, which reviews areas of the law and adopts texts restating the law where customary international law is sufficiently clear.

What about coalitions – are these bodies put into motion as a result of international law?

Nope. The use of force by ad hoc coalitions has raised questions within the discipline about whether a new rule is emerging (which might then become recorded as international law) in which the use of force is permitted to prevent massive human rights violations by incumbent governments (as seen in Kosovo, Libya or Iraq). These coalitions are authorized by the UN Security Council.

Right, what’s the UN Security Council?

The Security Council lies at the center of the UN architecture, consisting of representatives of fifteen States: the P5 (the five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the UK, the US) as well as ten States elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly. The Security Council can authorize coalitions to take action as an exception to the rules around the Use of Force. The Security Council can also impose mandatory sanctions including trade embargoes or establish no-fly zones. By far the more common action would be the deployment of forces, which operate as a buffer and don’t take sides in a conflict (UN Peacekeepers).

What does it have to do with me?

Probably very little in a practical sense, unless you’re a State. Having a basic understanding though can be very useful in understanding global politics and international relations.

For example, it clarifies what’s under threat when 10 Downing Street decides to rewrite the Ministerial Code to remove reference to international law. It can help to explain what’s going on in the South China Sea and how custom may reshape maritime law. You can better understand why international law matters in a post-ISIS era. It may lend some meaning to the idea of ‘recognizing’ Palestine as a State.

[Ismoil Sadullozoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short introduction to International Law with selected issues and problems. In order to understand the topics, some fundamental knowledge of international law is needed.

[Nathan Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of International Law by a man who recently pleaded before the ICJ on behalf of South Africa in the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Pithy and entertaining, it is filled with memorable quotes. Worth reading!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book that accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. As a student of international relations who has seen international law mentioned in passing but was never formally introduced to it, this book has given me a good understanding of its basic concepts.

It covers topics such as:
* the sovereign equality of states
* treaties and customary international law
* how international law is implemented and how breaches are addressed
* rules on the use of force in international relations
* questions regarding state jurisdiction
* the distinction between public and private international law.
It also has a handy chapter at the end that helps to distinguish between the role of law and that of politics/policy in international affairs

I now feel equipped to understand the main ideas in discussions surrounding international law, and will be following up with the author's full-length book from the Clarendon Law Series to get a more detailed understanding.

[Will Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

You're telling me international law isn't all spies and smoke-filled rooms of diplomats and laywers in pursuit of a higher justice? Who cares about states' jurisdiction at sea, I need to see some war criminals prosecuted!

[Daniel Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful! Good realistic sense of what international law can and cannot do along with a basic overview of a lot of the important terms and concepts. So many good nuggets of wisdom ~“you should think of international law being implemented, not enforced” or ~“international law is basically the language by which states make agreements; it can’t achieve things that states can’t come to agreement about.”

[Marty LaFleur · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book on international law: where it comes from, what it does well, and what it doesn't do well. I read this book in the hopes of learning more about the U.N. and the power international law may have to prevent or intercede in disputes (thinking Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and others). This book sort of goes in this direction but focuses more on the logic of international law. I found some parts of the book interesting but I think the writing was dry and jargon-laden.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the subtitle suggests, the book did not delve super deeply into any one topic. But it did help me get my head around the elephant that is international law, and persuade it international law is likely more useful I first thought.

[Pim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is super realist in terms of international law. Should read

[Xuexia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for beginners of international law

[Avani · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should be renamed “International Law: A Rich White British Man’s Introduction.” Very biased and dripping upper class privilege.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the basics of international law. I recommend it for quick overviews during exam revision and such

[Funilesh]

Not what I thought. Dnf

[Aqraa Sagir · Rating 4 out of 5]

10/10 I'm international lawyer now

[Hiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Can be very useful

[Julien Comardelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what it says on the box

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The law can never establish a system so perfect that people do not need to be good." Concluding with an apt aphorism, a fine and thorough intro!

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The legal expert Vaughan Lowe published International Law: A Very Short Introduction in 2015. The book has a section entitled “further reading” (Lowe 125-126). The book has illustrations, including photographs and cartoons. The first chapter defines basic concepts needed to understand international law, such as the concept of the state, the idea of sovereignty equality, self-determination (Lowe 12-14), and the relationship between “states and peoples” (Lowe 10-12). The book covers which states are recognized and which are not recognized (Lowe 14-17). The second chapter is on the sources of international law. The third chapter is entitled “Implementing International Law” (Lowe 39-55). The fourth chapter is entitled “freedom from external inferences” (Lowe 56-83). This chapter covers war (Lowe 56-78), the principles of non-intervention (Lowe 78-80), and finally sanctions (Lowe 80-83). Chapter 5 is on the concept of jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is the geographic reach and limits of the authority to enforce laws, both international law and other kinds of law (Lowe 86). This book mainly focuses on the introduction of international law. The last two chapters discuss what international law does well and what international law does not. I read the book on my Kindle. The book has a section on references and an index. Lowe's book is a thoughtful but older introduction to international law.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin. I had hoped for a few more titbits of interest, but the book was all business--functional and to the point. Fine as it goes. (The gist is international law consists of agreements between states in combination with the customs that develop between states--the latter being quite interesting in so far as normally laws feed into customs rather than, as in i'national law, customs and laws going hand in hand.)

[Kyrre Kjellevold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good as an introduction and teaser to the fundamental ideas of international law and cooperation.

[beatriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good acount

For a understanding beyond common knowledge it is a suitable little book. Especially shows and explains the limits of law in its contribution to common good.

[Jacabaeus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good little intro. A bit dry at points, but I enjoyed his sarcastic humour. Helps to understand the viewpoint and mechanisms of international law but it necessarily doesn't delve in to how things really work.