Book Reviews and Notices : Making International Law Work. By GEORGE W. KEETON AND GEORG SCHWARZENBERGER. (London: Stevens. 1946. Pp. x, 266. s.12/6.)

• DOI: 10.1177/106591294800100340
• Date: 01 September 1948
• Published date: 01 September 1948
• Author: Christen Jensen
• Subject Matter: Articles

348
thing but quite ordinary nonsense behind all this solemnity&dquo; (p. 34, n. 1).
L. C. GREEN.
University College, London
.
Making International Law Work
.
By GEORGE W. KEETON AND GEORG
SCHWARZENBERGER. (London: Stevens. 1946. Pp. x, 266. s.12/6.)
The first edition of this work was published in 1939 at the outbreak of
the Second World War. It was a compilation of extension lectuers given by
George W. Keeton and Georg Schwarzenberger of the University of London.
The second edition appeared in 1946 at the close of this war.
This compact little volume measures up to the same high standard of
the original edition in dealing with the fundamental background of inter-
national law. In so doing the authors devote one short chapter to a brief
history of the development of this subject and another valuable chapter to
a study of its social background. It is not the purpose of this volume to pre-
sent a standard treatise on this subject but rather to indicate the place of
international law in a world dominated by power politics.
The authors frankly and candidly take the position that &dquo;force is the su-
preme law of the international society.&dquo; Therefore &dquo;the fundamental concep-
tions of international law can best be understood if it is assumed that they main-
tain and support the rule of force. - - - Hence it appears that one of the main
functions of international law consists in supporting the rule of force the
achievements of which it invests with the sanctity and dignity of law, and in
providing a State anxious for the modification of the status quo with a conven-
ient excuse for its upheaval.... The dignity with which legal forms invest de
facto situations resulting directly from the application of force is especially
valued by States when the time comes to secure the spoils of victory and con-
guest.&dquo;
These brief quotations illustrate the supplementary role of interna-
tional law in a world of power politics. It is a point of view with which...