Principles of International Economic Law

Principles of International Economic Law gives a comprehensive overview of central topics in international economic law, with an emphasis on the interplay between different economic and political interests on both the international and domestic levels. The book sets the classic topics of international economic law (i.e. WTO law, investment protection, commercial law, and monetary law) in context with human rights, environmental protection, good governance, and the needs of developing countries. It thus provides a concise picture of the current architecture of international economic law.

Topics covered range from codes of conduct for multinational enterprises, to the human rights implications of the exploitation of natural resources. The book demonstrates the economic foundations and economic implications of legal frameworks. It puts into profile the often complex relationship between, on the one hand, international standards on liberalization and economic rationality and, on the other, state sovereignty and national preferences. It describes new forms of economic cooperation which have developed in recent decades, such as the growing number of transnational companies in the private sector, and forms of cooperation between States such as the G8 or G20. Providing a perfect introductory text to the field of international economic law, the book thoroughly analyses legal developments within their wider political, economic, or social context.



Matthias Herdegen is Director of the Institute for Public Law and Director of the Institute for International Law at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University in Bonn.