Preparing for War: The Making of the Geneva Conventions (The History of Theory of International Law)
$80.72
Description
Book Synopsis: The 1949 Geneva Conventions are the most important rules for armed conflict ever formulated. To this day they continue to shape contemporary debates about regulating warfare, but their history is often misunderstood. For most observers, the drafters behind these treaties were primarily motivated by liberal humanitarian principles and the shock of the atrocities of the Second World War. This book tells a different story, showing how the final text of the Conventions, far from being an unabashedly liberal blueprint, was the outcome of a series of political struggles among the drafters. It also concerned a great deal more than simply recognizing the shortcomings of international law revealed by the experience of war. To understand the politics and ideas of the Conventions' drafters is to see them less as passive characters responding to past events than as active protagonists trying to shape the future of warfare. In many different ways, they tried to define the contours of future battlefields by deciding who deserved protection and what counted as a legitimate target. Outlawing illegal conduct in wartime did as much to outline the concept of humanized war as to establish the legality of waging war itself. Through extensive archival research and critical legal methodologies, Preparing for War establishes that although they did not seek war, the Conventions' drafters prepared for it by means of weaving a new legal safety net in the event that their worst fear should materialize, a spectre still haunting us today.
Details
Unlock the untold story behind the Geneva Conventions with "Preparing for War: The Making of the Geneva Conventions". As the most crucial set of rules for armed conflict ever formulated, these conventions continue to shape the global discourse on regulating warfare. Delve into the rich history of these treaties and discover the surprising motivations that drove their drafters.
Contrary to popular belief, the drafters weren't solely driven by liberal humanitarian principles and the horrors of the Second World War. "Preparing for War" reveals the deep political struggles that led to the final text of the Conventions. It showcases that the outcome was far from a one-sided liberal blueprint, rather it represented the active efforts of key figures to shape the future of warfare.
Through riveting accounts and meticulous research, this book exposes how the drafters strove to outline the contours of future battlefields. Their goal was to establish who deserved protection and what constituted a legitimate target. By outlawing illegal conduct in wartime, they not only addressed the shortcomings of international law but also humanized the concept of war itself.
At its core, "Preparing for War" demonstrates that the Conventions' drafters were not merely reactive, but proactive agents determined to ensure the safety of humanity. This insightful book unearths the extraordinary measures they took to prepare for the worst-case scenario, offering a sobering reminder of the specter of war that still looms over us today.
Discover the hidden truths behind the Geneva Conventions and understand the influential role these treaties play in shaping our world. Get your copy of "Preparing for War: The Making of the Geneva Conventions" now and take a thought-provoking journey into history.Buy Now
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