International Law and the United States Military Intervention in the Western Hemisphere

1. Auflage 1997
ISBN: 978-90-411-0399-4
Verlag: Wolters Kluwer

Buch, Englisch, Band 28, 150 Seiten, PB, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 254 g

Reihe: Nijhoff Law Specials

This study tackles a controversial topic in international law and contemporary international relations, namely, the legality of intervention by a major power against weaker states within the same geographic region. Specifically, the author examines the practice of United States intervention in the Western Hemisphere, with particular emphasis on the relationship between the United States and its Latin American and Caribbean neighbours.

The work highlights six cases of U.S. intervention--Guatemala in 1954, Cuba in 1961, the Dominican Republic in 1965, Grenada in 1983, Nicaragua in 1985, and Panama in 1989. In each case the United States arguably violated international law and the sovereignty of the states involved but claimed it had a right to intervene to protect the lives of its nationals or to defend its national security against an external threat.

These cases amply demonstrate the conflict between international law on the one hand, and regional norms, power politics, and political doctrines on the other. They also illustrate how international law can be manipulated to advance the foreign policy goals of a major power.

The author adopts an interdisciplinary approach, combining international law, political doctrines, international relations theory and historical antecedents, to provide a better understanding of the relationship between a major power and its subordinates and of the relevance of international law in such a relationship.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Hilaire, Max

Fachgebiete

• Rechtswissenschaften Internationales Recht und Europarecht Internationales Recht

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface. Introduction: United States Intervention in the Western Hemisphere: A Historical Overview. I. The Evolution of Rules Banning the Use of Force and Intervention in the Western Hemisphere. II. International Law and the United States Intervention in Guatemala and Cuba. III. Legal Aspects of the United States Intervention in the Dominican Republic. IV. International Law and the United States Intervention in Grenada. V. Military and Paramilitary Activities in and Against Nicaragua. VI. International Law and the United States Intervention in Panama. VII. International Law and United States Intervention in the Western Hemisphere in the Post Cold War Era. VIII. Conclusion. Index.