War and the Law of Nations A General History [Hardcover]

This 2005 volume is a history of war, from an international law perspective, from Roman times to the present.This ambitious volume traces war as a legal concept from Roman times through to the twentieth century. Neff demonstrates how war has been seen variously as a law-enforcement operation, as a duel between states and as a 'crime against the peace'. He also considers the post World War II definition of war as an international law-enforcement mechanism under UN aupices. Although unsuccessful, this attempt did help transform war into a humanitarian, rather than a policy, problem. This book will interest historians, students of international relations and international lawyers.This ambitious volume traces war as a legal concept from Roman times through to the twentieth century. Neff demonstrates how war has been seen variously as a law-enforcement operation, as a duel between states and as a 'crime against the peace'. He also considers the post World War II definition of war as an international law-enforcement mechanism under UN aupices. Although unsuccessful, this attempt did help transform war into a humanitarian, rather than a policy, problem. This book will interest historians, students of international relations and international lawyers.Tracing war as a legal concept from Roman times through to the twentieth century, Stephen Neff reveals its various roles as a law-enforcement operation, duel between states and a crime against the peace. He also considers the post World War II definition of war as an international law-enforcement mechanism under U.N. auspices. Although unsuccessful, this attempt did help transform war into a humanitarian, rather than a policy problem. This book interests historians, students of international relations and international lawyers.Table of cases; Table of treaties; Abbreviations; Introduction; Part I. War as Law Enforcement (to 1600): 1. Ares and Athena; 2. Loving enemies and hating sin; Part II. New Forces Stirring (16001815):lc{