International Law and the Use of Armed Force

The UN Charter and the Major Powers

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Law, International, History, Military
Cover of the book International Law and the Use of Armed Force by Joel Westra, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Joel Westra ISBN: 9781135984632
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 11, 2007
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Joel Westra
ISBN: 9781135984632
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 11, 2007
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Since the UN Charter came into effect in 1945, there have been numerous incidents in which one or more of the five major powers (at least arguably) violated the Charter's Article 2(4) prohibition of force. Such incidents notwithstanding, this book demonstrates how the Charter restrains the major powers' military actions. As an instrument of international order, the Charter provides a framework of legal rules restricting the use of armed force. Although these rules are subject to auto-interpretation by the major powers (as a consequence of their veto), they create an expectation of compliance that subjects the major powers' military actions to international scrutiny. To reduce the likelihood of resistance from states threatened by such actions, major powers exercise prudential restraint, altering the manner and timing of their military actions in accordance with the legal arguments offered to justify those actions as consistent with the Charter and therefore not threatening to the existing international order.

The book evaluates the efficacy of the Charter using large-N methods and five case studies: US intervention in the Caribbean, 1953–61; Anglo- French intervention in Egypt, 1956; Soviet intervention in Hungary, 1956; US–British intervention in Iraq, 1990–98; and US–British intervention in Iraq, 1999–2003. The book's extensive focus on the two Iraq cases provides a basis for timely evaluation of the continuing salience and possible reforms of the UN Charter system.

This book will be of much interest to students of security studies, the UN, international law, and international relations.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Since the UN Charter came into effect in 1945, there have been numerous incidents in which one or more of the five major powers (at least arguably) violated the Charter's Article 2(4) prohibition of force. Such incidents notwithstanding, this book demonstrates how the Charter restrains the major powers' military actions. As an instrument of international order, the Charter provides a framework of legal rules restricting the use of armed force. Although these rules are subject to auto-interpretation by the major powers (as a consequence of their veto), they create an expectation of compliance that subjects the major powers' military actions to international scrutiny. To reduce the likelihood of resistance from states threatened by such actions, major powers exercise prudential restraint, altering the manner and timing of their military actions in accordance with the legal arguments offered to justify those actions as consistent with the Charter and therefore not threatening to the existing international order.

The book evaluates the efficacy of the Charter using large-N methods and five case studies: US intervention in the Caribbean, 1953–61; Anglo- French intervention in Egypt, 1956; Soviet intervention in Hungary, 1956; US–British intervention in Iraq, 1990–98; and US–British intervention in Iraq, 1999–2003. The book's extensive focus on the two Iraq cases provides a basis for timely evaluation of the continuing salience and possible reforms of the UN Charter system.

This book will be of much interest to students of security studies, the UN, international law, and international relations.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Competition and Regulation in the Airline Industry by Joel Westra
Cover of the book The European Union in International Climate Change Politics by Joel Westra
Cover of the book A Curriculum for the Pre-School Child by Joel Westra
Cover of the book Regulating Preventive Justice by Joel Westra
Cover of the book Internal Colonization in Medieval Europe by Joel Westra
Cover of the book Environmental Law and the Ecosystem Approach by Joel Westra
Cover of the book World Wide Weed by Joel Westra
Cover of the book The Routledge Companion to Media and Scandal by Joel Westra
Cover of the book Human Performance and Productivity by Joel Westra
Cover of the book Vatican II and New Thinking about Catholic Education by Joel Westra
Cover of the book Mental Health in the Service of the Community by Joel Westra
Cover of the book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Joel Westra
Cover of the book Shakespeare in the Present by Joel Westra
Cover of the book Social Regeneration and Local Development by Joel Westra
Cover of the book Professions, Work and Careers by Joel Westra
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy