Order and Disorder in the 21st Century

With a diverse group of contributors from law, business, and the social sciences, this book explores the line not only between order and disorder in global affairs, but also chaos and control, continuity and change, the core and the margins.

The key themes include: global crises and the role of international law, norms and institutions; the challenge of pluralism to regulatory clarity; and critical assessments of taken-for-granted systems and values such as capitalism, centralised government, de-militarisation and the separation of powers.

The book divides into two key parts. The first part, Conceptions, considers the diverse ways in which order/disorder can be conceived in global governance and regulation. The second part, Case Studies, groups chapters around five topic areas: citizens, capitalism, conflict, crime, and courts.

The authors build on the themes presented in the first part by embedding them within specific areas of international regulation, such as international criminal law, maritime law, or finance regulation; jurisdictions and regions, such as Australia, Canada, China, Japan, and South Asia; and subject-matter, such as water resources, citizenship, statelessness, and public interest litigation.

This blend of contemporary subject matter, empirical studies, multi-disciplinary perspectives, and academic theories provides a comprehensive analysis of current and emerging debates in the broader global community. By utilising interdisciplinary studies to draw out common issues and alternative solutions, Order and Disorder in the 21st Century will appeal to a wide readership among academics and policy-makers.