Perspectives in International Economic Law

Economic activity, Professor Qureshi insists, is a visible manifestation of the human condition. The laws that regulate it and develop its norms must be deeply human. International economic law must be ever-vigilant in its efforts to represent the economic needs of all strata of humanity. It must not allow the cultural imperatives of any one group to predominate.

To investigate the validity of this deeply-held conviction, in May 2001 Professor Qureshi and the University of Manchester School of Law brought together a conference of major IEL scholars to elicit as broad a diversity of perspectives as possible. This book, well-informed in its insight and far-reaching in its implications, grew out of that conference, in that the contributors (including several who had not participated in the conference) focused and augmented their standpoints in remarkable essays that crystallize the critical perspectives from which IEL may be viewed.

Issues and topics that arise in the course of the investigation include the following:

• • globalization and its institutions;
• • the survival of the nation-state;
• • the role of the International Court of Justice;
• • sustainable development;
• • developing countries and dispute settlement;
• • developing countries and trade negotiations;
• • regional integration;
• • human rights and the "untouchability" of IEL; and
• • the gender bias of basic IEL institutions and rules.

There are also clear presentations of specifically Marxist and Islamic perspectives, and an analysis along lines of "fairness" as developed by Thomas Franck and John Rawls.

Perspectives in International Economic Law offers lawyers, economists, political scientists, and policymakers a multifaceted, multidisciplinary approach to one of the most vitally important human endeavours of our time. While its immediate value and utility is apparent, the depth of clear thinking it evinces on every page will keep it current for many years to come.