Defending the Society of States

Why America Opposes the International Criminal Court and Its Vision of World Society
Erscheinungsjahr 2007
ISBN: 978-0-19-921431-0
Verlag: OUP Oxford

Buch, Englisch, 254 Seiten, Print PDF, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 552 g

This book is among the first to address the issues raised by the International Criminal Court (ICC) from an International Relations perspective. By clearly outlining a theoretical framework to interpret these issues, Ralph makes a significant contribution to the English School's study of international society. More specifically, he offers a concise definition of 'world society' and thus helps to resolve a longstanding problem in international theory. This groundbreaking conceptual work is supported by an in-depth empirical analysis of American opposition to the ICC. Ralph goes beyond the familiar arguments related to national interests and argues that the Court has exposed the extent to which American notions of accountability are tied to the nation-state. Where other democracies are willing to renegotiate their social contract because they see themselves as part of world society, the US protects its particular contract with 'the people' because it offers a means of distinguishing America and its democracy from the rest of the world. This 'sovereigntist', or more accurately 'Americanist', influence is further illustrated in chapters on the sources of law, universal jurisdiction, transatlantic relations and US policy on international humanitarian law in the war on terror. The book concludes by evoking E.H. Carr's criticism of those great powers who claim that a harmony exists between their particular interests and those of wider society. It also recalls his argument that great powers sometimes need to compromise and in this context, Ralph argues that support for the ICC is a more effective means of fulfilling America's purpose and a less costly sacrifice than that demanded by the 'Americanist' policy of nation-building.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Ralph, Jason

Fachgebiete

• Rechtswissenschaften Internationales Recht und Europarecht Internationales Recht Internationales Privatrecht
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Internationale Beziehungen

Inhaltsverzeichnis

- 1: Introduction

- 2: International Society - Consent and Custom as Sources of Law

- 3: International Society - the Duty Either to Extradite or Prosecute

- 4: The Rome Statute and the Constitution of World Society

- 5: Understanding US Opposition to the ICC

- 6: Europe, the US and the ICC

- 7: International Society and America's War on Terrorism

- 8: Conclusion: International Society and American Empire

- Bibliography

- Index

Über Autor(innen)

Jason Ralph is a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Leeds. He teaches in the areas of American Foreign Policy, Human Rights and International Society. He has published widely in these areas and is a graduate of King's College, London and the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.