Title
International law, US power : the United States' quest for legal security / Shirley V. Scott.
ISBN
9781107602595 pbk
1107602599 pbk
9781107016729
110701672X
Publication Details
Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Language
English
Description
viii, 283 pages ; 23 cm
Call Number
KF4581 .S36 2012
Dewey Decimal Classification
341.0973
Summary
"Observers of the USA's attitude towards international law seem to be perpetually taken aback by its actions, whether those relate to the use of force, the International Criminal Court or human rights. This book sets out to articulate the considerable degree of continuity in the nature of US engagement with international law. International Law, US Power explains that the USA has throughout its history pursued a quest for defensive and offensive legal security and that this was a key ingredient in the rise of the USA. Although skilful strategic involvement with international law was an ingredient in the USA 'winning' the Cold War, the rise of China and the growing negotiating strength of leading developing countries mean that the USA is likely to find it increasingly difficult to use the same set of techniques in the future"-- Provided by publisher.
"International Law. US Power has been a number of years in the making and has benefitted from two periods of research leave from the University of New South Wales and visits to Temple University and Wooster College as well as the presentation of seminars at Macquarie University, the University of Newcastle (Australia), and the National University of Singapore. I would like to thank Jeffrey Dunoff for hosting my period of research at the Beasley School of Law, Temple University and Jeffrey Lantis for hosting my visit to the College of Wooster. Jeffrey McGee kindly invited me to present a research seminar on this material at the University of Newcastle"-- Provided by publisher.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 263-273) and index.
Introduction. Beyond the myth of the golden age
The US quest for legal security
The US pursuit of legal security through the evolution of the international law of dispute resolution
The US pursuit of legal security through the evolving regime relating to the use of force
The US pursuit of legal security in substantive policy arenas
Techniques through which the United States has reconciled its practice of offensive legal security with the principle of sovereign equality
The practice of offensive legal security in US diplomacy
The future of US engagement with international law.