This work is primarily aimed at the law student, although it may also be of relevance to those studying international relations. It covers the main topics of public international law and is designed to serve both as a textbook and as a case and materials book.

This work covers the main traditional topics of public international law such as the nature and sources of international law; the law of treaties; jurisdiction; personality; and the peaceful settlement of disputes. More specific subjects are also treated - human rights, the use of force, the laws of war and the growing body of international environmental law. The book aims, wherever possible, to identify the current areas of controversy, giving details of the main arguments and providing the author's own comments. Illustrations of the law and its applications from current international events are provided - for example, reference is made to recent events in the area of former Yugoslavia.

The sixth edition of Ian Brownlie's comprehensive and authoritative textbook has been thoroughly revised and updated to take into account all changes in the field of public international law since 1998. A new chapter on the Use of Force has been added and further discussion of the Environment.Its clarity, excellent structure, detailed referencing and depth and maturity of analysis make it the ideal text for students, scholars and practitioners.

Public International Law found in business schools, government and political science departments. Written in plain English easily understood by nonspecialists, this introduction to public international law draws on sources and materials from around the world and features law cases taken from countries from all regions of the world.

The proliferation of international courts and the extension of international regulation to new areas have been considered to be threatening for the unity of Public International Law as a legal system. These developments are the consequence of the increasing formation of legal subsystems (material international regimes) which continue to grow in complexity. How these trends affect the unity of the international legal system requires theoretical scrutiny of its fundamental bases. This work considers that the unity of the international legal system depends upon its normative structure, and on the social medium in which it is applied: the evolving international community. A unified international legal system has as its ultimate goal the protection of human dignity through the international regulation of human rights. The question of the unifying stability of the international legal system and the development of legal subsystems within it encourages a review of the major issues of current Public International Law, considering the evolution from traditional doctrines to recent approaches. This review is done from an analytical frame that provides a deeper understanding of the current situation of Public International Law as a legal system.

"A comprehensive compilation of the major source documents of human rights law. Whether alone as a reference on human rights, or combined into a set as a companion volume with The International Humanitarian Law Sourcebook to complete a picture of complementary bodies of international law, this ready-reference will be invaluable to lawyers, policymakers, military leaders, nongovernmental organizations and academics around the world"--Unedited summary from book cover.