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Law International

Unbound in War?

International Law in Canada and Britain's Participation in the Korean War and Afghanistan

by (author) Sean Richmond

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Jul 2021
Category
International, General, General
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781487517991
    Publish Date
    Jul 2021
    List Price
    $68.00
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781487503468
    Publish Date
    Aug 2021
    List Price
    $68.00

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Description

In Unbound in War?, Sean Richmond examines the influence and interpretation of international law in the use of force by two important but understudied countries, Canada and Britain, during two of the most significant conflicts since 1945, namely the Korean War and the Afghanistan Conflict. Through innovative application of sociological theories in International Relations (IR) and International Law (IL), and rigorous qualitative analysis of declassified documents and original interviews, the book advances a two-pronged argument.

 

First, contrary to what some dominant IR perspectives might predict, international law can play four underappreciated roles when states use force. It helps constitute identity, regulate behaviour, legitimate certain actions, and structure the development of new rules. However, contrary to what many IL approaches might predict, it is unclear whether these effects are ultimately attributable to an obligatory quality in law. This ground-breaking argument promises to advance interdisciplinary debates and policy discussions in both IR and IL.

About the author

Sean Richmond is a lawyer and instructor in the Department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University.

Sean Richmond's profile page

Awards

  • Winner, 2023 CPSA International Relations Prize Awarded by the Canadian Political Science Association