Hugo Grotius and International Relations

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 andthe necessity of rules.

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).