International Relations The Path Not Taken

This book is a comprehensive analysis of the relevance of international law to the conduct of international relations and foreign policy. Written by a distinguished international lawyer and academic with over 35 years of experience, this book contains a systematic treatment of both fields of study. This work serves as an introduction to contemporary theories of international relations and as a primer on international law especially for the non-lawyer. Focusing on contemporary problems of terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation, war and peace, economic development, protection of the global environment, reform of the United Nations, democracy and protection of human rights, this work develops the thesis that international law is a neglected tool of foreign policy that can be used to address many of today's difficult and unresolved problems. It concludes by advocating a 'new global order' in the form of the rule of law and multilateral solidarity in addressing world problems.

Preface and overview; 1. Introduction: two very different wars in Iraq; 2. The twenty-first century: the end of history or a new beginning?; 3. International power politics; 4. A new global order based on international law and multilateralism; 5. Peace and security: reinventing the United Nations; 6. International political economy; 7. International environmental protection; 8. International human rights; 9. International crimes; 10. Conclusions.

This book addresses the main aspects of International Relations including the theoretical foundations of the subject and reform of the United Nations and international institutions. Chapters are devoted to solving particular world problems including globalization and the world economy, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, protection of the environment and securing human rights.

Thomas J. Schoenbaum received his JD in law from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Law from the University of Cambridge. He has practised and taught International Law since 1966 and is the author of numerous books and articles on legal matters. He has held academic appointments at the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick in the UK, and from 1983 to 2003 he was Professor and Director of the Dean Rusk Center of the University of Georgia. He is now Research Professor at George Washington University Law School in Washington DC and Graduate Professor at International Christian University in Tokyo.