Unbound in War?

"""Focusing on concrete governmental decisions concerning the United Kingdom and Canada's participation in the Korean War and Afghanistan Conflict, Sean Richmond shows how a sense of obligation mattered. Decisions were not 'unbound' but shaped in many ways by international law. This study is a major contribution to the dialogue between international law and international relations. It takes competing theoretical positions and tests them empirically. We need more studies like this one.""--Stephen J. Toope, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge ""Richmond's refreshingly empirical, interdisciplinary work offers new and important insights into the ways international law influences state participation in armed conflict. In doing so, it not only contributes to our historical understanding of two profoundly consequential conflicts, but also illuminates perennial debates in international relations and international legal theory, teaching us valuable lessons about the potential - indeed the very nature - of international law.""--John H. Currie, Professor of Law, University of Ottawa ""In a stunning rebuke to realist international relations scholars, Sean Richmond proves that international law constrains national leaders as they decide when and how to go to war.""--Michael Byers, Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law, University of British Columbia"