1. The Relative Autonomy of International Law or The Forgotten Politics of Interdisciplinarity
- Author:
- Jan Klabbers
- Publication Date:
- 12-2005
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- The Journal of International Law and International Relations
- Institution:
- Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto
- Abstract:
- It goes without saying (but probably needs to be said) that the Foreign Office lawyer preparing a draft declaration on, say, the right to development, should have some understanding of development theory: she would be well-advised to know that there are various theories, not easily reconcilable with each other, on how development is best to be achieved. By the same token, it goes without saying (but might need to be said) that the practicing trade lawyer who does not have a grasp of the basic economics of international trade might not be best-placed to advise her clients. Likewise, it goes without saying (but perhaps needs to be said) that the practitioner at a Ministry of Defence contemplating whether or not to treat prisoners of war decently would enhance the quality of her decisions if she were to have an understanding of such things as game theory and reciprocity.