The Internationalists: How a Radical Plan to Outlaw War Remade the World

The Internationalists examines the 1928 Paris Peace Pact, a treaty that sought to make war illegal, and traces its impact through the 20th century to the present day. The authors present evidence that this often-dismissed agreement marked a pivotal shift in how nations approach sovereignty, territory, and international relations. The book moves between detailed historical accounts and broader analysis of global politics, focusing on key figures like Salmon Levinson and James Shotwell who championed the outlawing of war. It explores how international legal frameworks evolved from accepting conquest as legitimate to viewing armed aggression as a violation of world order. The narrative spans multiple continents and decades, connecting pre-1928 conflicts with modern international crises and examining how responses to aggression have transformed. The text incorporates extensive research from diplomatic archives, personal papers, and legal documents to construct its argument. This work challenges conventional wisdom about the role of law in preventing war, suggesting that seemingly idealistic legal agreements can reshape the behavior of nations over time. It raises fundamental questions about the nature of international order and the mechanisms that maintain peace.

Readers found the book makes a compelling case that the 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact had more impact than historians typically acknowledge. Many appreciated the detailed research and documentation of how international law evolved over centuries. Likes: - Clear connections between historical legal frameworks and modern international relations - Effective use of specific case studies and examples - Fresh perspective on a dismissed treaty Dislikes: - Length and dense academic writing style - Some found arguments repetitive - Several readers questioned if the authors overstated the Pact's influence - Limited discussion of other factors in the decline of war One reader noted: "The authors make their case methodically, but could have done so in half the pages." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) Foreign Affairs: "Outstanding Academic Title of 2018" Most agree the book presents an important argument about international law's role in reducing war, even if some found the execution imperfect.

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🌎 Before the 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact (the central focus of the book), conquest was a completely legal way to acquire territory. Nations could literally wage war to expand their borders without breaking international law. ⚖️ Author Oona Hathaway is the Gerard C. and Bernice Latrobe Smith Professor of International Law at Yale Law School, and the book grew out of her popular course on international law. 🤝 The book reveals how Salmon Levinson, a relatively unknown Chicago lawyer, was instrumental in developing the intellectual framework that led to the outlawing of war. 📊 The authors present data showing that territorial conquests have decreased by 95% since the period before the Kellogg-Briand Pact, suggesting the agreement was far more effective than most historians have claimed. 🗓️ The authors argue that 1928 rather than 1945 should be considered the major turning point in international relations, as the Kellogg-Briand Pact laid the groundwork for the United Nations Charter and modern international law.