Critical Perspectives on the Responsibility to Protect: Interrogating Theory and Practice

This edited volume will be the first book to critically interrogate both the theoretical principles and the policy consequences of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine. A remarkable consensus has recently emerged in support of the doctrine of the 'responsibility to protect' (R2P) - the idea that the international community has a duty to protect people whose states are either unable or unwilling to provide them with a basic level of human security. The doctrine was affirmed in the outcome document of the 2005 World Summit, the largest gathering of world leaders in history. While there has been much commentary on the final wording chosen for the outcome document, and discussion over how precisely the doctrine can best be implemented, there has been no systematic criticism of the principles underlying the doctrine. The contributors to this volume argue that the doctrine of R2P does not embody progressive values and that it has the potential to undermine international order. This volume not only advances a novel set of arguments, but will also spur debate by offering perspectives that are seldom heard in relation to R2P. The aim of the volume is to bring a range of criticisms to bear from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including international law, political science, IR theory and security studies. This book will be of much interest to students of human security, humanitarian intervention, human rights, critical security studies and IR in general.