The American Society of International Law

Books

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A Decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind…

“A Decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind…” presents major addresses by justices of the Supreme Court collected from ASIL Annual Meetings during that last one hundred years. These selected speeches concern America and its relation to foreign and international law.

Each speech evokes a particular point in American history—the inter-War period, the turning of the tide of the Second World War, the dawn of the Cold War, and the post-Cold War debate regarding the citation of foreign law in American legal opinions—and gives a sense of the substance and evolution of the ongoing encounter between the “Nation of Laws” and the “Law of Nations,” as seen by justices from the highest U.S. court.

Serving as a unique insight into the thoughts and perspectives of Supreme Court Justices, “A Decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind…” is an essential read for practitioners, professors, and students of international and constitutional law.

The publication is available for $18 to ASIL members, $20 to nonmembers. For more information and to order a copy of “A Decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind…”, please call the William S. Hein & Company, Inc. at 800-828-7571 (U.S) or 716-882-2600 (outside U.S.).

A Century of International Law

A Century of International Law, presents as a separate volume the centennial essays first appearing in Volume 100 of the American Journal of International Law. Written in honor of ASIL’s centennial, these essays begin by exploring the general themes that underpin the field of international law and then go on to cover more specific topics such as human rights, sovereignty, the use of force, international tribunals, and international economic law, among others. In the words of ICJ President Rosalyn Higgins, these essays "are written by academic stars, distinguished jurists, and rising young scholars; they examine the contemporary dilemmas of international law, but also engage in thoughtful reflection on the state of international legal theory and of the Journal itself. There is no single approach but, rather, the widest variety of views that the American Society has always encouraged. The essays mirror the range of the Societys work, the reach of its audience, and the composition of its membership."

Compiled both as a commemorative piece and an educational tool, A Century of International Law will be a valuable resource for both practitioners and students of international law. The publication is available for $18 to ASIL members, $20 to nonmembers, and $10 for orders of 25 or more; for ordering information click here.

Can Might Make Rights? Building the Rule of Law After Military Interventions

Can Might Make Rights? looks at the difficulties in creating the rule of law in post-conflict societies and offers critical insights into how policymakers and fieldworkers can improve future efforts. For those who are trying to make sense of the international community's challenges in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and East Timor, this book shows how a narrow focus on building institutions, such as courts and legislatures, misses the more complex cultural issues that affect societal commitment to the values associated with the rule of law. The authors (ASIL members Jane Stromseth, Rosa Brooks, and David Wippman) place the rule of law in context, showing the interconnectedness between it and other post-conflict priorities, such as reestablishing security. They also outline a pragmatic, synergistic approach to the rule-of-law promotion, which promises to reinvigorate debates about transitions to democracy and post-conflict reconstruction.

Published in 2006 by Cambridge University Press and made possible in part by grants from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the United States Institute of Peace, this 416-page book is now available for purchase through Cambridge’s web site.

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"Finally: a practical guide for the rule of law development practitioner. After a baptism by frustration as a rule of law planner in Iraq, it became clear that a systemic and holistic approach with realistic expectations was required for any genuine and sustainable progress. For military planners, fighting a conventional war is easy when compared to a protracted counterinsurgency. This book, rather than claiming to have all the answers, urges the reader to ask the right questions. The authors guide the planner to a reasoned and measured approach to rule of law in a conflict zone, while pointing out that true successes are rare. Most importantly, the book correctly points out that there are no short cuts. Rule of law development requires patient, dedicated (and well funded) support to develop a culture of lawfulness. I wish this book had been available BEFORE my deployment."

Major Paul F. Meagher, Rule of Law Officer, 4th Civil Affairs Group, U.S. Marine Corps

View authors’ discussion at Georgetown Law book launch event.

Foreign Affairs reviews Can Might Make Rights?

Philadelphia Inquirer reviews Can Might Make Rights?

CSIS’s PCR Blog reviews ASIL book Can Might Make Rights

Can Might Make Rights? Review in International Judicial Monitor

International Law: 100 Ways it Shapes Our Lives
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International Law: 100 Ways It Shapes Our Lives was conceived from the proposition that international law not only exists, but also penetrates more deeply and broadly into everyday life than is generally recognized. 100 examples of this fact were identified by ASIL members, vetted by a small group of experts, and organized into seven chapters: daily life, liesure, travel, commerce, health and the environment, personal liberty, and public safety and security. This list has proved a useful education tool for non-expert audiences, from students and the public to judges and policymakers.

The American Society of International Law's First Century

From the historic launch of ASIL by such luminaries as Elihu Root and Charles Evans Hughes to the recent era when international law is increasingly in the public realm, The American Society of International Law's First Century: 1906-2006 by Frederic L. Kirgis traces the evolution of the Society and its relationship to events in the United States and around the world. Kirgis, who serves as Secretary to the Society, is a member of the Board of Editors of the American Journal of International Law, and edits ASIL Insights, spent more than a decade researching and writing this in-depth, 632-page history, which debuted at the Society’s 100th annual meeting.

For more information and to order a copy of The American Society of International Law's First Century: 1906-2006,
click here.