Power and principle : the politics of international criminal courts

On August 21, 2013, chemical weapons were unleashed on the civilian population in Syria, killing another 1,400 people in a civil war that had already claimed the lives of more than 140,000. As is all too often the case, the innocent found themselves victims of a violent struggle for political power. Such events are why human rights activists have long pressed for institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute some of the world's most severe crimes: genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.While proponents extol the creation of the ICC as a transformative victory for principles of international humanitarian law, critics have often characterized it as either irrelevant or dangerous in a world dominated by power politics. Christopher Rudolph argues in __Power and Principle__ that both perspectives are extreme. In contrast to prevailing scholarship, he shows how the interplay between power politics and international humanitarian law have shaped the institutional development of international criminal courts from Nuremberg to the ICC. Rudolph identifies the factors that drove the creation of international criminal courts, explains the politics behind their institutional design, and investigates the behavior of the ICC. Through the development and empirical testing of several theoretical frameworks, __Power and Principle__ helps us better understand the factors that resulted in the emergence of international criminal courts and helps us determine the broader implications of their presence in society. On August 21, 2013, chemical weapons were unleashed on the civilian population in Syria, killing another 1,400 people in a civil war that had already claimed the lives of more than 140,000. As is all too often the case, the innocent found themselves victims of a violent struggle for political power. Such events are why human rights activists have long pressed for institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute some of the world's most severe crimes: genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. While proponents extol the creation of the ICC as a transformative victory for principles of international humanitarian law, critics have often characterized it as either irrelevant or dangerous in a world dominated by power politics. Christopher Rudolph argues in Power and Principle that both perspectives are extreme. In contrast to prevailing scholarship, he shows how the interplay between power politics and international humanitarian law have shaped the institutional development of international criminal courts from Nuremberg to the ICC. Rudolph identifies the factors that drove the creation of international criminal courts, explains the politics behind their institutional design, and investigates the behavior of the ICC. Through the development and empirical testing of several theoretical frameworks, Power and Principle helps us better understand the factors that resulted in the emergence of international criminal courts and helps us determine the broader implications of their presence in society. | On August 21, 2013, chemical weapons were unleashed on the civilian population in Syria, killing another 1,400 people in a civil war that had already claimed the lives of more than 140,000. As is all too often the case, the innocent found themselves victims of a violent struggle for political power. Such events are why human rights activists have long pressed for institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute some of the world's most severe crimes: genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.While proponents extol the creation of the ICC as a transformative victory for principles of international humanitarian law, critics have often characterized it as either irrelevant or dangerous in a world dominated by power politics. Christopher Rudolph argues in Power and Principle that both perspectives are extreme. In contrast to prevailing scholarship, he shows how the interplay between power politics and international humanitarian law have shaped the institutional development of international criminal courts from Nuremberg to the ICC. Rudolph identifies the factors that drove the creation of international criminal courts, explains the politics behind their institutional design, and investigates the behavior of the ICC. Through the development and empirical testing of several theoretical frameworks, Power and Principle helps us better understand the factors that resulted in the emergence of international criminal courts and helps us determine the broader implications of their presence in society. On August 21, 2013, Chemical Weapons Were Unleashed On The Civilian Population In Syria, Killing Another 1,400 People In A Civil War That Had Already Claimed The Lives Of More Than 140,000. As Is All Too Often The Case, The Innocent Found Themselves Victims Of A Violent Struggle For Political Power. Such Events Are Why Human Rights Activists Have Long Pressed For Institutions Such As The International Criminal Court (icc) To Investigate And Prosecute Some Of The World's Most Severe Crimes: Genocide, War Crimes, And Crimes Against Humanity. While Proponents Extol The Creation Of The Icc As A Transformative Victory For Principles Of International Humanitarian Law, Critics Have Often Characterized It As Either Irrelevant Or Dangerous In A World Dominated By Power Politics. Christopher Rudolph Argues In Power And Principle That Both Perspectives Are Extreme. In Contrast, To Prevailing Scholarship, He Shows How The Interplay Between Power Politics And International Humanitarian Law Have Shaped The Institutional Development Of International Cirminal Courts From Nuremberg To The Icc. Rudolph Identifies The Factors That Drove The Creation Of International Criminal Courts, Explains The Politics Behind Their Institutional Design, And Investigates The Behavior Of The Icc. Through The Development Of International Criminal Courts From Nuremberg To The Icc. Rudolph Identifies The Factors That Drove The Creation Of International Criminal Courts, Explains The Politics Behind Their Institutional Design, And Investigates The Behavior Of The Icc. Through The Development And Empirical Testing Of Several Theoretical Frameworks, Power And Principle Helps Us Better Understand The Factors That Resulted In The Emergence Of International Criminal Courts And Helps Us Determine The Broader Implications Of Their Presence In Society. -- From Dust Jacket. Power And Principle From Nuremberg To The Hague -- Nested Interests And The Institutional Design Of The Icc -- Explaining The Outliers : Domestic Politics And National Interests -- Power, Principle, And Pragmatism In Prosecutorial Strategy -- Conclusion : Between Power And Principle. Christopher Rudolph. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

On August 21, 2013, chemical weapons were unleashed on the civilian population in Syria, killing another 1,400 people in a civil war that had already claimed the lives of more than 140,000. As is all too often the case, the innocent found themselves victims of a violent struggle for political power. Such events are why human rights activists have long pressed for institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute some of the world's most severe crimes: genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.While proponents extol the creation of the ICC as a transformative victory for principles of international humanitarian law, critics have often characterized it as either irrelevant or dangerous in a world dominated by power politics. Christopher Rudolph argues in Power and Principle that both perspectives are extreme. In contrast to prevailing scholarship, he shows how the interplay between power politics and international humanitarian law have shaped the institutional development of international criminal courts from Nuremberg to the ICC. Rudolph identifies the factors that drove the creation of international criminal courts, explains the politics behind their institutional design, and investigates the behavior of the ICC. Through the development and empirical testing of several theoretical frameworks, Power and Principle helps us better understand the factors that resulted in the emergence of international criminal courts and helps us determine the broader implications of their presence in society.

Human rights advocates have long pressed for international institutions to prosecute crimes against humanity. With its global reach and mandate to investigate and prosecute some of the world's most severe crimes (genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity) the creation of the International Criminal Court in 2002 was hailed as a landmark event in the evolution of truly global society. Supporters argue that the ICC and other transnational tribunals will deter the commission of atrocities and contribute to global peace and stability, and they laud its independence and its potential to check the arbitrary use of power against the powerless. To better understand how international criminal courts function and determine their broader implications for global society, this book examines the factors that led to the creation and evolution of international criminal courts, the nature of the support for and opposition to such institutions, and how they function.