This introductory volume to the series of American Classics in International Law is intended to present, put into context, and critically appraise specifically American general theories of and about international law. Those frameworks of ideas include the very concept of international law, its justification, the struggle between formalism and experience, various theories of legitimacy and fairness, the law's effectiveness, empirical analysis, critiques from the margins and the center, and approaches to its improvement. Particular focus is on American Legal Realism, the New Haven School of...

Are there unique aspects to human rights scholarship in the United States or does the body of work only manifest the participation of US scholars in a global epistemic community of human rights advocates? What contributions have US authors made to the development of human rights law, its norms and standards, implementation and enforcement? The contributions selected for inclusion in American Classics in International Law: International Protection of Human Rights, edited by Dinah Shelton, reveals themes, approaches, and analyses that have advanced human rights in ways that reflect...