The Law and Politics of Fencing the Use of Force - Period 2

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the changing international rules and regulations on the use of armed force from the perspectives of international law, history and political science/international relations. Over the course of human history, the nature of war and armed conflict has been changing frequently and dramatically. In addition to technology, these developments have been driven by changing ideas about just causes and legitimate ways of using armed force. Limiting the human costs of war has become an ever more powerful motive in designing and modifying the rules governing the use of force. The prime instrument of fencing the use of armed force has been international law. The course discusses the most important developments in the laws of armed conflict since the late Middle Ages, including just war theory, collective security and humanitarian interventions from an interdisciplinary perspective that builds on Public International Law and Political Science/International Relations. This interdisciplinary perspective allows a comprehensive understanding of the achievements and shortcomings in the laws and politics of fencing the use of force. Milestones under discussing include early modern concepts of just war, the balance of power system of the 19th century, the League of Nations, the United Nations system and recent efforts to promote a Responsibility to Protect.

Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.