International Law from a Machiavellian Perspective

THE REALIST TRADITION AND CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, pp.82-95, W. David Clinton, ed., Louisiana State University Press, 2007

Northwestern Public Law Research Paper No. 10-61

13 Pages Posted: 13 Oct 2010

Date Written: October 12, 2010

Abstract

Machiavelli leaves one with both an optimistic and a pessimistic prognostication for the post-Cold War world. On the one hand, the end of that conflict has opened the way for the spread of liberal, constitutional regimes, which he would say are inclined to be more and more meticulous in honoring their commitments. On the other, the temptation to use force to create new facts and thereby force international law into new paths will remain as long as politics is practiced. The contemporary relevance of Machiavelli may be seen in that he urged both realities upon us. I focus on a single incident that postdated the end of the Cold War – the show of force by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the Taiwan Strait in March 1996.

Keywords: Machiavelli, International Law, Two China Problem, Strait of Taiwan Show of Force (1996)

JEL Classification: K10, K30, K33

Suggested Citation

D'Amato, Anthony, International Law from a Machiavellian Perspective (October 12, 2010). THE REALIST TRADITION AND CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, pp.82-95, W. David Clinton, ed., Louisiana State University Press, 2007, Northwestern Public Law Research Paper No. 10-61, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1620032 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1620032

Anthony D'Amato (Contact Author)

Northwestern University - Pritzker School of Law ( email )

375 E. Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
113
Abstract Views
2,006
Rank
438,854
PlumX Metrics