Aggression and Crimes Against Peace (Philosophical and Legal Aspectrs of War and Conflict) - Softcover

May, Larry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521719151 ISBN 13: 9780521719155

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

In this volume, the third in his trilogy on the philosophical and legal aspects of war and conflict, Larry May locates a normative grounding for the crime of aggression - the only one of the three crimes charged at Nuremberg that is not currently being prosecuted - that is similar to that for crimes against humanity and war crimes. He considers cases from the Nuremberg trials, philosophical debates in the Just War tradition, and more recent debates about the International Criminal Court, as well as the hard cases of humanitarian intervention and terrorist aggression. His thesis refutes the traditional understanding of aggression. At Nuremberg, crimes against humanity charges were only pursued if the defendant also engaged in the crime of aggression. May argues for a reversal of this position, contending that aggression charges should be pursued only if the defendant's acts involve serious human rights violations.

About this title

Review:

"Philosopher Larry May delivers a ground-breaking reassessment of what the Nuremberg Tribunal had identified as the 'supreme international crime.' Building upon his paradigm-shifting work on crimes against humanity and war crimes, May now reorients the debate regarding the scope and merits of criminalizing aggressive war. Especially noteworthy is his contention that aggression should be defined as a first wrong that violates human rights. May combines reason with creativity - and sophistication with accessibility - to offer a tour-de-force with interdisciplinary appeal to a wide audience."
-Mark Drumbl, Washington & Lee University School of Law

"This is a strong study of an important topic. Given the timing of its appearance and the quality of its argument, this work may have an important impact on international law itself."
-Steven Lee, Hobart & William Smith College

Book Description:

In the third volume in his trilogy on the philosophy of war, Larry May locates a normative grounding for the crime of aggression - the only one of the three crimes charged at Nuremberg that is not currently being prosecuted - that is similar to that for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0521719151
• ISBN 13: 9780521719155
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 366