This collection of 22 writings on international law, presented by Ku (U. of Illinois College of Law) and Diehl (U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), is distinguished from other international law texts principally by its focus on the politics of international law in the post Cold War era and by drawing a distinction between elements of international law that function as an operating system for international relations and those that present a normative system that seeks to direct behavior in the international system. In terms of international law as an operating system, chapters address sources of international law, participants in the international legal process, implementation and compliance with international law, and international legal structures, while in terms of international law as a normative system, they explore regulation of the use of force, protection of individual rights, protection of the environment, and management of the commons. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)