International Law from Below: Development, Social Movements and Third World Resistance

Book Description:

Balakrishnan Rajagopal’s fundamental critique of modern international law draws attention to traditional Third World engagements. Rajagopal challenges current approaches to international law and politics either through states or through individuals. With transnational and local social movement action now becoming increasingly visible and important--as witnessed in Seattle in 1999, he demonstrates that a new global order must consider seriously the resistance of social movements in the development of international law.
Book Description
This first-ever analysis of international law using social movement theory provides a fundamental critique of modern international law, including traditional Third World engagements. Using a detailed historical and analytical critique, Rajagopal challenges current approaches to international law and politics either through states (as realists do) or through individuals (as liberals do). With transnational and local social movement action now becoming increasingly visible and important--as witnessed in Seattle in 1999--he demonstrates that a new global order based on law must take the resistance of social movements more seriously.