Parochialism, Cosmopolitanism, and the Foundations of International Law

This book examines the boundary between parochial and cosmopolitan justice. Parochialism and cosmopolitanism are two faces of international law, which recognizes our common humanity by protecting us in our differences. Essays in this book ask to what extent law should recognize or support the political, historical, cultural and economic differences among nations. Nine lawyers and philosophers from five continents consider whether certain states or persons deserve special treatment, exemptions or heightened duties under international law. Contributors draw the line between international law, national jurisdiction and the private autonomy of persons.

M. N. S. Sellers is Regents Professor of the University System of Maryland and Director of the University of Baltimore Center for International and Comparative Law. He received his A.B. and J.D. from Harvard University and was a Rhodes Scholar, Frank Knox Fellow and T. H. Green Scholar at University and Wolfson Colleges, Oxford. Professor Sellers has served as a visiting scholar at Georgetown University Law Center, the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law at Cambridge University, Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Hague Academy of International Law and Bryn Mawr College. He is co-editor of the Cambridge University Press book series ASIL Studies in International Legal Theory.