Defending the West

Defending the West by James Gow

What is the West? Why does it need to be defended? From what, by whom, and how? These are thorny questions that international society must grapple with in order to meet the security challenges of the 21st Century. This little book provides answers to these questions. In it, James Gow sends out a clarion call for a radical re-interpretation of the right of self-defence within the terms of international law and international politics. The world is a wonderful, but dangerous place. There are any number of threats to peace and security, ranging from new forms of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to environmental degradation, famine and disease. Defending the West matters to everyone, regardless of colour, creed, or nationality. It matters to those who are seeking to destroy it as much as it does to those seeking to protect it. Defence of the West requires pre-emptive action, but it cannot be undertaken on a unilateral basis and outside the law. Instead of outlawing pre-emptive action, we must acknowledge that it is necessary and ensure that it can be taken in a framework of partnership and legitimacy.

'If, as I believe, there is no more important task in international relations in the 21st century than re-joining the imperatives of strategy with the legitimating structures of law, then Defending the West is a very important work indeedRich and accessible, it charts the way forward.'

-- Philip Bobbitt, A.W. Walker Centennial Chair in Law

'A provocative case for extending the concept of self-defence in international relations to include pre-emptive armed action. Based on a reasoned argument about the changed global security situation, it deserves attention even those who are sceptical of Western military action.'

-- Martin Shaw, University of Sussex

James Gow is Professor of International Peace and Security at King's College, London.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780745632353
ISBN 10	0745632351
Title	Defending the West
Author	James Gow
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Year published	2004-10-15
Number of pages	176
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable