{"product_id":"the-public-international-law-theory-of-hans-kelsen-thorough","title":"The Public International Law Theory of Hans Kelsen - Thorough","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Public International Law Theory of Hans Kelsen, Jochen von Bernstorff offers a focused study aimed at readers seeking a deeper understanding of Kelsen's attempt to reconcile his \u003cstrong\u003ePure Theory of Law\u003c\/strong\u003e with international law. The book is best for graduate students, scholars of legal theory and practitioners interested in intellectual history, because it situates Kelsen within Weimar debates and explains how his liberal cosmopolitan project informed his writing on international law. The bottom line: this is a scholarly, context-rich analysis that clarifies Kelsenian formalism and its contemporary relevance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical context:\u003c\/strong\u003e Examines German international legal discourse in the first half of the twentieth century, clarifying the intellectual climate that shaped Kelsen's ideas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative engagement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discusses reactions from figures such as Carl Schmitt and other Weimar opponents, allowing readers to see Kelsen in dialogue with rivals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMethodological link:\u003c\/strong\u003e Explains the relationship between Kelsen's Pure Theory of Law and his international law writings so readers can follow his internal logic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConceptual contribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Introduces the term reflexive formalism to articulate limits and continuing relevance of Kelsenian formalism for modern international law debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical reflection:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offers a cautious assessment of Kelsen's liberal cosmopolitan project, helping readers weigh its strengths and limits in current debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is suited to law students, academics and researchers who already have some familiarity with legal theory and want a rigorous account of Kelsen's place in international law. It works well as a supplementary text for seminars on legal philosophy or the history of international legal thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a general introduction to international law without dense theoretical discussion should look elsewhere, as the book assumes engagement with methodological questions and debates from the Weimar period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear situating of Kelsen within the German legal debate provides valuable historical grounding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed comparison with Weimar opponents such as Carl Schmitt enhances understanding of competing positions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe concept of \u003cstrong\u003ereflexive formalism\u003c\/strong\u003e gives readers a usable framework for assessing Kelsen's continuing relevance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book's focus on methodological issues may feel dense to readers seeking practical or introductory treatments of international law.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Public International Law Theory of Hans Kelsen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJochen von Bernstorff\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law, Series Number 68\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRelationship between Pure Theory of Law and international law\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical scope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGerman international legal discourse in the first half of the twentieth century\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReflexive formalism; liberal cosmopolitan project; Weimar opponents\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVon Bernstorff's study is a thoughtful, well-argued resource for specialists who want to understand Kelsen's international law writings in context; it is good value for seminar reading or personal research because it connects methodological rigor with historical debate and offers a clear concept to carry into current discussions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book explain Kelsen's Pure Theory of Law?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it examines the relationship between the Pure Theory of Law and Kelsen's international law writings to show how his methodology informed his international thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior knowledge required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome familiarity with legal theory and the Weimar legal debates is helpful; the book is aimed at readers with a scholarly interest rather than complete beginners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it address contemporary relevance?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the author discusses the limits and continuing relevance of Kelsenian formalism under the term reflexive formalism and reflects on current debates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jochen von Bernstorff","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48598670278875,"sku":"0521516188","price":131.3,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51oL-8ozy4L._SL1360.jpg?v=1776277807","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-public-international-law-theory-of-hans-kelsen-thorough","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}