Self-Defence against Non-State Actors
In this book, self-defence against non-State actors is examined by three scholars whose geographical, professional, theoretical, and methodological backgrounds and outlooks differ greatly. Their trialogue is framed by an introduction and a conclusion by the series editors. The novel scholarly format accommodates the pluralism and value changes of the current era, a shifting world order with a rise in nationalism and populism. It brings to light the cultural, professional and political pluralism which characterises international legal scholarship and exploits this pluralism as a heuristic device. This multiperspectivism exposes how political factors and intellectual styles influence the scholarly approaches and legal answers. The trialogical structure encourages its participants to decentre their perspectives. By explicitly focussing on the authors’ divergence and disagreement, a richer understanding of self-defence against non-State actors is achieved, and the legal challenges and possible ways ahead are identified.
Mary Ellen O’Connell is the Robert and Marion Short Professor of Law and is Research Professor of International Dispute Resolution at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, Indiana. She was previously a vice president of the American Society of International Law and chaired the Use of Force Committee of the International Law Association. She has also practised law with the Washington, DC-based law firm, Covington & Burling.
Christian J. Tams is Professor of International Law at the University of Glasgow, where he directs the Research Group on International Law, Conflict and Security. His academic work focuses on the use of force, investment law and international courts and tribunals. In addition to his academic work, Professor Tams regularly advises States and other actors in matters of international law and is an academic member of Matrix Chambers, London. Over the course of the last fifteen years, he has acted in proceedings before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the Iran–US Claims Tribunal, as well as arbitral tribunals (ICSID, PCA, ICC).
Dire Tladi is Professor of International Law at the University of Pretoria. He is a member of the UN International Law Commission and is Special Rapporteur on Peremptory Norms of General International Law (Jus Cogens) as well as a member of the Institut de Droit International. He is former Deputy Legal Adviser of the South Africa Department of Foreign Affairs and was previously legal adviser to the South African Mission to the United Nations in New York, including during its 2011–12 tenure on the UN Security Council. He also served as Special Adviser to the South African Foreign Minister.
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