Routledge Handbook of International Law

The Routledge Handbook of International Law provides a definitive global survey of the interaction of international politics and international law. Each chapter is written by a leading expert and provides a state of the art overview of the most significant areas within the field.

This highly topical collection of specially commissioned papers from both established authorities and rising stars is split into four key sections:



The Nature of International Law including the interaction between the disciplines of International Law and International Relations




The Evolution of International Law progressing from the ancient world to present day.




Law and Power in International Society discussing topical issues such as the war in Iraq and the international criminal court




Key Issues in International Law including international refugee law, indigenous rights, intellectual property, trade and the challenges presented by "new terrorism".


A comprehensive survey of the state of the discipline, The Routledge Handbook of International Law is an essential work of reference for scholars and practitioners of international Law.

David Armstrong is Emeritus Professor of International Relations at the University of Exeter. His research interests include the historical evolution of international legal norms and institutions. He is the author and co-author of a number of books, and was formerly editor of the Review of International Studies.

Part 1: The Nature of International Law 1. Is International Law Really Law? 2. The Sources of International Law 3. ‘Hard’ and ‘Soft’ Law in International Relations 4. Compliance Issues 5. International Law and International Society 6. Legal and Moral Norms in International Society 7. The Effectiveness of International Law 8. Theories of International Law 9. The Practice of International Law Part 2: The Evolution of International Law 10. The Classical World 11. The Era of Grotius 12. Nineteenth Century Positivism 13. Normative Change in International Society 14. Religion(s) and International Law 15. The ‘Legalization’ and ‘Institutionalisation’ of International Relations 16. Globalisation and Claims that We are Moving Towards a Cosmopolitan Rather than Inter-State Legal Community 17. The Increasing Role of Non-State Actors Part 3: Law and Power in International Society 18. Does Law Reflect or Constrain Power? 19. Law and Force in the Twenty First Century 20. American Hegemony and International Law (i) Pro 21. American Hegemony and International Law (ii) Anti 22. The Iraq War 23. Humanitarian Intervention Part 4: Key Issues in International Law 24. The Environment 25. Terrorism 26. The Laws of War 27. Human Rights 28. Trade 29. Finance 30. Intellectual Property 31. The United Nations 32. The International Court of Justice 33. Law of the Sea 34. Refugees and Migrants