Law and Sentiment in International Politics

'This book is extraordinarily rich in contributions. Drawing on recent advances in moral psychology, Traven proposes a fresh theory of international norm development. The theoretical analysis and historical case studies are as thorough as they are creative. The book is highly instructive for anyone grappling with the problem of how to constrain warfare!' Janina Dill, John G. Winant Associate Professor of US Foreign Policy, University of Oxford 'The field of international norms and ethics has been waiting for a book like this, one that expands our historical view of the evolution of morality beyond the West and takes seriously the question of where our moral instincts come from. By showing that human beings do not create notions of right and wrong out of whole cloth and that the West has no monopoly on ideas about ethical conduct in war, Law and Sentiment in International Politics is an important corrective to longstanding but mistaken conventional wisdoms in the field.' Brian C. Rathbun, Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California, Dornsife 'Why do the laws of armed conflict in ancient China, medieval Islamic states, and modern Western society contain similar prohibitions against the deliberate killing of civilians? In this profound and provocative book, David Traven traces these similarities to a common moral psychology existing in human beings across space and time. Unfortunately, these moral sentiments create inherently fragile rules, often permitting 'unintentional' killing, even on a massive scale.' Scott D. Sagan, Caroline S.G. Munro Professor of Political Science, Stanford University 'The book offers a forensic account of what international law has to say about war, drawing on a detailed reading of national and international legal instruments and dozens of legal cases.' Alex J. Bellamy, International Affairs