International Law in a Transcivilizational World

With the resurgence of Asian nations such as China, current West-centric international law is changing in the twenty-first century. There is a pressing need to address these changes within international legal studies and overcome potential conflicts between existing and emerging powers. This structural transformation also demands a change in understanding of existing ideas and institutions. This book explores a 'trans-civilizational' approach to international law, supplementing and modifying two other prevalent perspectives: international and transnational. By considering these three layered viewpoints, this book highlights the complex phenomena surrounding the history and development of international law. The author also considers how international law operates and functions within diverse forums such as diplomatic negotiation, international organizations, and domestic political processes. This book will appeal to international law scholars and students, as well as those interested in the rise of non-Western powers and its impact on the prevalent ideas and institutions of the world.

Preface; Acknowledgements; Editorial note; List of abbreviations; List of short form citations; 1. International law in a multi-civilizational world; 2. Identification of international law; 3. Subjects and participants of international law; 4. Responses to violations of international law; 5. Spatial and personal ordering of the world; 6. Human rights; 7. The global economy and international law; 8. The global environment and international law; 9. Conflict resolution (and dispute settlement) and international law; 10. Regulation of force and realization of peace; Bibliography; Index.

Onuma Yasuaki is Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo. He has held visiting appointments at leading universities including Harvard University, Massachusetts, Yale University, Connecticut, the University of Cambridge, Université de Paris I, Peking University, Beijing, Tsinghua University, Beijing and Jawaharlal Nehru University. He is a founding member of the Asian Society of International Law.