International Authority and the Responsibility to Protect

commentaries on R2P for its hard-hitting and valuable insights into the importance of R2P as a framework for rationalising and legitimising external intervention in the post-colonial world. As Orford astutely argues the importance of R2P revolves around the claims of capacity (of interveners) and assertions of a lack of capacity (of those subject to intervention) to construct discourses of authority and hierarchy which bypass the traditional framings of international law, sovereignty and rights. This book will shape the future discussion of R2P and will be required reading for those working in this area.' David Chandler, Professor of International Relations, University of Westminster 'Over the years, Anne Orford has established herself as one of the most acute and insightful scholars of international law. In this superb, elegantly written book, she presents a genealogy of the relationship between 'protection' and 'sovereignty' that is clearly crucial to an understanding of contemporary debates about the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). Drawing not only upon international law, but history, philosophy and political theory, she here provides us with a work that is not only the most far reaching analysis we have of the concept of the R2P (and it is bound to startle many of those engaged in these debates) but one that poses fundamental questions about sovereignty, international institutions, and the contemporary international system.' Antony Anghie, Samuel D. Thurman Professor of Law, University of Utah '... Anne Orford, a professor at Melbourne Law School in Australia, approaches the question of intervention from a distinct and original angle.' Mahnoush H. Arsanjani, American Journal of International Law 'Orford's thesis is challenging, but she is more than up to the challenge ... This is an elegantly written and convincingly argued book in its central thesis. Orford thinks clearly and writes well with an admirable economy of words ...' Ramesh Thakur, European Journal of International Law 'Anne Orford's well-written book offers a significant contribution to the existing literature in this area in that it not only addresses some of the concerns as to the relevance and effectiveness of the emerging norm in resolving the dilemma between sovereignty and intervention, but it also examines both the debate and the practice of protection from the perspective of the jurisdictional basis and lawful authority for intervention ... provides well-informed and timely insights on this emerging concept and demonstrates well its normative value ... a well-researched analysis of both the theory and practice of intervention for humanitarian purposes that will be valuable reading for practitioners and scholars alike ...' Tom Kabau, Journal of Conflict and Security Law