Clear, practical guidance on the laws that govern nations in peace and war.
This accessible introduction explains how international law works, its history, and the sources that shape its rules. It focuses on the law of war and the law of neutrality, showing how states decide, act, and interact in times of conflict. This edition presents a structured overview that helps readers grasp core ideas without requiring prior legal study. It aims to be a helpful first guide to international law and to more detailed treatises for those who want to study further.
- What international law covers, including the nature, history, and sources of the field
- Key distinctions between the law of belligerency and the law of neutrality
- How wars begin, wage, and end, with attention to treaties, ceasefires, and negotiations
- Foundational concepts like the rights and duties of neutral states, and the treatment of combatants and non-combatants
Ideal for readers seeking a solid, readable introduction to the rules that govern how nations behave in war and in peace, and for students exploring the topic for the first time.