Rewriting Histories of the Use of Force: The Narrative of Indifference' [Hardcover]

Offers an alternative history of the prohibition of force and explains the origins of the traditional historical account of 'indifference'.This book is of interest to academics and practitioners working on international peace and security issues. It provides access to an extensive body of primary documentation and offers a different and original perspective on the history of the prohibition of the use of force in international law and relations.This book is of interest to academics and practitioners working on international peace and security issues. It provides access to an extensive body of primary documentation and offers a different and original perspective on the history of the prohibition of the use of force in international law and relations.It is commonly taught that the prohibition of the use of force is an achievement of the twentieth century and that beforehand States were free to resort to the arms as they pleased. International law, the story goes, was 'indifferent' to the use of force. 'Reality' as it stems from historical sources, however, appears much more complex. Using tools of history, sociology, anthropology and social psychology, this monograph offers new insights into the history of the prohibition of the use of force in international law. Conducting in-depth analysis of nineteenth century doctrine and State practice, it paves the way for an alternative narrative on the prohibition of force, and seeks to understand the origins of international law's traditional account. In so doing, it also provides a more general reflection on how the discipline writes, rewrites and chooses to remember its own history.General Introduction; I. The Use of Force in Nineteenth Century Doctrine: More than a Naturalist Fantasy: Introduction. Aim, Methodology and Outline; 1. The 'Use of Force' in the nineteenth century: some conceptual clarifications; 2. The use of force in writings of 'Naturalist' inclination; 3. The use of force in writings of 'Eclectic' inclinatiol£0