The Powerlessness of International Law – The Return of War and Crimes Against Humanity

Syria, Ukraine, Gaza: Is international law in tatters? Does the law of the jungle hold sway?

With the Nuremberg Trials, a new chapter in the history of international law began after the Second World War. And after the Cold War, a rule-based world order appeared realistic. However, this is not the reality of the early 21st century – international law appears to be in ruins, brute force seems to prevail, and the global community seems to be settling into cynicism or resignation. Safferling’s treatise is concise, competent, personal, and passionate. Despite its seemingly somber title, the book ultimately offers an optimistic outlook: Safferling argues convincingly that international law should not be written off as a regulatory framework for global relations. In the author’s firm belief, it will ultimately assert its relevance and force. As readers move through the book, it becomes increasingly clear that there are compelling reasons to share this hope.

»An impressive and at the same time disturbing book about the possibilities and limitations of the international legal system. [...] It is equally an analysis, a diagnosis and a warning.« Peggy Fiebig, Deutschlandfunk 

• Hot topic: The book traces the developments from 1945 to now and calls out the double standards and blind corners
  
• The author is an expert on international law and how its violations are currently handled