Hugo Grotius and International Relations: (Clarendon Paperbacks)

While the works of Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) have long been held in high esteem by international lawyers, this book addresses the broader, and neglected, theme of his contribution to the theoretical and practical aspects of international relations. It critically reappraises Grotius' thought, examining it in relation to his predecessors and in the context of the wars and controversies of his time, and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the `Grotian' tradition of thought - one which accepts the sovereignty of states but at the same time stresses the existence of shared values and the necessity of rules.

About the Author :
Professor Sir Adam Roberts is President of the British Academy and Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Oxford University, and Emeritus Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford University. His main academic interests are in the fields of international security, international organizations, and international law (including the laws of war). He has also worked extensively on the role of civil resistance against dictatorial regimes and foreign rule, and on the history of thought about international relations. Professor Robert's is the co-editor of Civil Resistance and Power Politics (OUP 2008) and Documents on the Laws of War (OUP 2000).

Review :
`the work on Grotius is a sophisticated example of intellectual collaboration ... blessed with scholarship of remarkable range and depth ... a fitting tribute to the life and work of Hedley Bull' Times Higher Education Supplement `very welcome indeed. One that is as well written and as stimulating as this one is, deserves a place on the book shelf of every student of world politics ... The standard of writing and scholarship is admirably high throughout and, as one has come to expect from the Clarendon Press, the book as a whole is produced to an equally high standard ... Books like the present one which stimulate debate about both these concerns are therefore enormously necessary. Ones that are as elegant, thoughtful and as well produced as this one are all too rare and a pleasure to engage.' The Oxford International Review 'this is a very worthwhile contribution to Grotian scholarship' H. McCoubrey, International and Comparative Law Quarterly, Volume 41, 1992 'The Clarendon Press has done the volume proud. Not a single misprint hit my eye. In these days of much indifferent book production, this is a joy. The editors also shine ... this is a stimulating read.' Ragnhild Hatton, History 'A major value of the book is that it operates in the tension of the IR figure Grotius, who does not always resemble the historical Grotius, and the Grotius studied by the experts in international law and history of law. The book is very valuable indeed, and hits on crucial political questions of the day.' Cooperation and Conflict, Volume 27 1992 `This collection contains important discussions of Grotius' position on ... important issues such as international equality ... and humanitarian intervention.' The International History Review `Highly recommended as an addition to any basic collection dealing with international relations or world politics.' Choice 'the book edited by Bull, Kingsbury, and Roberts is well within the traditions established by the inter-war generation. And finally, the antimonies of Kingsbury and Roberts's introduction are not antinomies at all. Rather, they work together in a sort of progressive realism.' Carl Landauer, Harvard International Law Journal, Vol. 33, No. 1, Winter 1992 `This work provides a theoretical analysis of the history of modern international relations ... It is excellent for the purposes of researching and understanding the forces which culminated in the Westphalian concepts of sovereignty that still flourish in contemporary international relations theory.American Society of International Law Newsletter `This collection provides both an instructive intellectual portrait (or portraits) of Grotius, and goes a long way to reaffirming the English school conceptions of order and international society ... Caught between the amoral vibrancy of American realism on the one hand, and the emerging critical paradigms on the other, the English school has an ancien regime feel to it. If this is true, then this book clearly demonstrates the breadth of scholarship that we will be losing.' International Insights