Non-State Actors in International Law
Math Noortmann, August Reinisch, Cedric Ryngaert
The role and position of non-state actors in
international law is the subject of a long-standing and intensive scholarly
debate. This book explores the participation of this new category of actors in
an international legal system that has historically been dominated by states.
It explores the most important issues, actors and theoretical approaches with
respect to these new participants in international law. It provides the reader
with a comprehensive and state-of-the-art overview of the most important legal
and political developments and perspectives.
Relevant non-state actors discussed in this volume
include, in particular, international governmental organisations, international
non-governmental organisations, multinational companies, investors and armed
opposition groups. Their legal position is considered in relation to specific
issue-areas, such as humanitarian law, human rights, the use of force and
international responsibility. The main legal theories on non-state actors'
position in international law – neo-positivism, the policy-oriented approach
and transnational law – are covered at the beginning of the book, and the
essential political science perspectives – on non-state actors' role in
international politics and globalisation, as well as their soft power – are
presented at the end.
