INTERNATIONAL LAW: THE CRITICS ARE WRONG

In: FP, Band 71, S. 22-45

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE ANTI-INTERNATIONALIST MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, THE "U.N. - BASHERS," AND THE GROWING COALITION TO CONVINCE MANY OPINION LEADERS THAT THE NORMS RESTRAINING FORCE HAVE BURDENED THE DEFENSE OF NATIONAL INTEREST. THE IMMEDIATE ISSUE IS NOT THE MORAL PROPRIETY OR EVEN THE PRUDENCE OF UNITED STATES BEHAVIOR. IT IS SIMPLY WHETHER THE RELATIVE DECLINE OF AMERICAN INFLUENCE OVER GLOBAL EVENTS CAN BE CONNECTED MEANINGFULLY TO U.N. CHARTER RESTRAINTS ON THE USE OF FORCE. THE AUTHOR HERE ARGUES AGAINST ANTI-INTERNATIONALISM AND CONTENDS THAT UNDER THE CHANGED CONDITIONS OF THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM, THE UNITED STATES MUST CONCEDE AS ILLUSORY ITS BID FOR UNCHALLENGED SUPREMACY, AND, INSTEAD, SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN STRENGTHENING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION. THE ALTERNATIVE IS WITHDRAWAL FROM THE U.N. WHICH WOULD ONLY ISOLATE AMERICA FROM GLOBAL INTERACTION.