Routledge International Law and Transitional Governance: Critical Perspectives (Law, Conflict and International Relations)

This volume examines the role of international law in shaping and regulating transitional contexts, including the institutions, policies, and procedures that have been developed to steer constitutional regime changes in countries affected by catalytic events. The book offers a new perspective on the phenomenon of conflict-related transitions, whereby societies are re-constitutionalized through a set of interim governance arrangements subject to variable degrees of internationalization. Specifically, this volume interrogates the relevance, contribution, and perils of international law for this increasingly widespread phenomenon of inserting an auxiliary phase between two ages of constitutional government. It develops a nuanced understanding of the various international legal discourses surrounding conflict- and political crisis-related transitional governance by studying the contextual factors that influence the transitional arrangements themselves, with a specific focus on international aspects, including norms, actors, and related forms of expertise. In doing so, the book builds a bridge between comparative constitutional law and international legal scholarship in the practical and highly dynamic terrain of transitional governance. This book will be of much interest to practitioners and students of international law, diplomacy, mediation, security studies, and international relations. Review "We live in a period where interstate war has become rare while often violent conflicts within states are on the increase. Such conflicts can rarely be ended in one go and transitional arrangements are needed. Constitutional engineering is never more important than in such situations. It is therefore highly welcome that this volume addresses in a comprehensive manner the various aspects of transitional government. Essential reading for all constitutional lawyers and everybody interested in conflict settlement." Mr Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Venice Commission"Now more than ever we need intense reflection on the deep, multi-stranded connections and tensions between international and national processes and actors in pursuing transition from conflict to peace. This outstanding collection, gathering analysis from leaders across the field, pushes forward our understanding of the decades-long trends toward comparative constitutional law and international legal scholarship and practice in this area, and how they intersect. It is indispensable reading for anyone seeking nuanced, lucid, and globally-informed perspectives on the exceptionally important subject of transitional governance."Tom Gerald Daly, Director, Democratic Decay & Renewal (DEM-DEC)"Transitional authority and interim government is often sidelined in governance discourse and constitutional theory. This innovative volume, dedicated to the late Chandra Lekha Sriram, marks an important contribution to bring these issues to the forefront. It helps us to better understand the prospects, limits and critiques of international law in processes of transition."Professor Carsten Stahn, Leiden & QUB Belfast"One of the many legal challenges of our time is the interface between domestic constitutional and international law during the transition from conflict to sustainable peace. This book brings together an impressive group of well-informed authors to explore these questions from the standpoint of international law. It is a timely contribution to the field, which deserves to attract considerable attention."Professor Cheryl Saunders, Melbourne Law School"This fascinating new collection aims to bridge the divide between comparative constitutional law and international legal theory in the context of the challenges of transitional governance; and more than succeeds in this aim. Bringing together scholars and practitioners from both sides of this divide, it provides new and important insights about how we can achieve successful constitutional ‘transition