"An impressive tour across the variegated landscape of modern international law. As always, John Murphy is expert yet accessible, opinionated yet balanced, passionate yet sane. An important book about an important subject." Mark Janis, William F. Starr Professor of Law, University of Connecticut School of Law
"In this classic treatment of international law in world politics, John Murphy identifies the choices states and their constituencies need to make to maintain the effectiveness of international law and institutions today. With a focus on state behavior over a range of key international issues, Murphy reminds us of the continued importance of the state as a political force in the shaping of world order." - Charlotte Ku, Assistant Dean, University of Illinois College of Law and Co-Director, Center on Law and Globalization
"According to Murphy, there’s something very wrong in the world of international law, a dysfunctionality that belies the triumphalist sentiment one finds among some international law specialists, especially in the academy. For all of the many new outlets of international legal activity, basic challenges relating to peace, human rights, nonproliferation, and the environment are unresolved. The world is still a mess and international law isn't going to clean it up. Murphy calls for a return to more traditional international law approaches and the more modest goals that went with them. One doesn't have to accept Murphy's skepticism of new international legal mechanisms to take the important point. A wake-up call to those who might worship at the altar of international law." - Peter J. Spiro, Charles R. Weiner Professor of Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law