Imperialism, Sovereignty and the Making of International Law (Cambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law)

This book argues that the colonial confrontation was central to the formation of international law and, in particular, its founding concept, sovereignty. Traditional histories of the discipline present colonialism and non-European peoples as peripheral concerns. By contrast, Anghie argues that international law has always been animated by the 'civilizing mission' - the project of governing non-European peoples - and that the economic exploitation and cultural subordination that resulted were constitutively significant for the discipline. In developing these arguments, the book examines different phases of the colonial encounter, ranging from the sixteenth century to the League of Nations period and the current 'war on terror". Anghie provides a new approach to the history of international law, illuminating the enduring imperial character of the discipline and its continuing importance for peoples of the Third World. This book will be of interest to students of international law and relations, history, post-colonial studies and development studies. About the Author: Antony Anghie is Professor of Law at the S.J. Quinney School of Law, University of Utah This Book Examines The Relationship Between Imperialism And International Law. It Argues That Colonial Confrontation Was Central To The Formation Of International Law And, In Particular, Its Founding Concept, Sovereignty. Traditional Histories Of The Discipline Present Colonialism And Non-european Peoples As Peripheral Concerns. By Contrast, Anghie Argues That International Law Has Always Been Animated By The 'civilizing Mission' - The Project Of Governing Non-european Peoples. Racial Discrimination, Cultural Subordination And Economic Exploitation Are Constitutively Significant For The Discipline, Rather Than Aberrations That Have Been Overcome By Modern International Law. In Developing These Arguments, The Book Examines Different Phases Of The Colonial Encounter, Ranging From The Sixteenth Century To The League Of Nations Period And The Current 'war Against Terror' Anghie Provides A New Approach To The History Of International Law, Illuminating The Imperial Character Of The Discipline And Its Enduring Significance For Peoples Of The Third World.--jacket. 1. Francisco De Vitoria And The Colonial Origins Of International Law -- 2. Finding The Peripheries: Colonialism In Nineteenth-century International Law -- 3. Colonialism And The Birth Of International Institutions: The Mandate System Of The League Of Nations -- 4. Sovereignty And The Post-colonial State -- 5. Governance And Globalization, Civilization And Commerce -- 6. On Making War On The Terrorist: Imperialsim As Self-defence. Antony Anghie. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 321-341) And Index. Also Available Online. ''This book argues that the colonial confrontation was central to the formation of international law and, in particular, its founding concept, sovereignty. Traditional histories of the discipline present colonialism and non-European peoples as peripheral concerns. By contrast, Anghie argues that international law has always been animated by the 'civilizing mission' - the project of governing non-European peoples, and that the economic exploitation and cultural subordination that resulted were constitutively significant for the discipline. In developing these arguments, the book examines different phases of the colonial encounter, ranging from the sixteenth century to the League of Nations period and the current 'war on terror'. Anghie provides a new approach to the history of international law, illuminating the enduring imperial character of the discipline and its continuing importance for peoples of the Third World. This book will be of interest to students of international law and relations, history, post-colonial studies and development studies.''-- Site de l'éditeur