A landmark publication in the teaching of international law from one of the world's leading international lawyers. This refreshingly clear, concise textbook conveys the dynamics of international law through four questions: Where does it come from? To whom does it apply? How does it resolve conflict? And what does it say?
'The book is written in a straightforward and slightly provocative style - one may refer to it as 'Dutch directness'. This makes the book a great pleasure to read. The many rhetorical and unanswered questions raised throughout the book provoke the reader to reflect critically on the materials and doctrine provided therein. Klabbers dishes up the usual materials, and he does sketch the doctrines, like all other textbooks, but then he leaves it up to the reader to draw the conclusions ... By distancing itself from today's immediate challenges, the book shows the reader that international law does more than simply chase after such events, always arriving too late to make a difference.' Otto Spijkers, Professor of International Law at the China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies (CIBOS), Wuhan University, China
'No-one is better at explaining the nuance of international law while keeping an eye squarely on the details than Jan Klabbers. This new edition of his groundbreaking textbook is a terrific update to an essential book. The book charts the theories and assumptions that make up the international legal system while telling engaging stories about the histories and cases that constitute its practice. The combination is readable, informative, and unmatched among international law textbooks.' Ian Hurd, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Weinberg College Center for International and Area Studies, Northwestern University