A Foucauldian Approach to International Law: Descriptive Thoughts for Normative Issues

Foucault's challenging view of power and knowledge as the basis for interpreting the international system forms the central themes of this book. As the application of international law expands and develops this book considers how Foucault's approach may create a viable framework that is not beset by ontological issues. With International law essentially stuck within an older framework of outmoded statist approaches, and overly broad understanding of the significance of external actors such as international organizations; current interpretations are either rooted in a narrow attempt to demonstrate a functioning normative structure or interpret developments as reflective of some emerging and somewhat unwieldy ethical order. This book therefore aims to ameliorate the approaches of a number of different 'schools' within the disciplines of international law and international relations, without being wedded to a single concept. Current scholarship in international law tends to favour an unresolved critique, a utopian vision, or to refer to other disciplines like international relations without fully explaining the significance or importance of taking such a step. This book analyses a variety of problems and issues that have surfaced within the international system and provides a framework for consideration of these issues, with a view towards accounting for ongoing developments in the international arena.

Leonard Hammer is Senior Lecturer at Zefat College, Israel. He holds the following qualifications: JD from Georgetown University, LLM from NYU, and PhD from University of London (SOAS). Dr Hammer has published books and articles in the area of international law and international human rights, including the 2001 book The International Human Right to Freedom of Conscience (Ashgate). He has received a number of research grants and fellowships and is currently involved in a long-term project concerning holy places as well as developing programmes for Zefat Law School.