Description: In this book, self-defence against non-state actors is examined by three scholars whose geographical, professional, theoretical, and methodological backgrounds and outlooks differ greatly. Their trialogue is framed by an introduction and a conclusion by the series editors. The novel scholarly format accommodates the pluralism and value changes of the current era, a shifting world order and the rise in nationalism and populism. It brings to light the cultural, professional and political pluralism which characterises international legal scholarship and exploits this pluralism as a heuristic device. This multiperspectivism exposes how political factors and intellectual styles influence the scholarly approaches and legal answers and the trialogical structure encourages its participants to decentre their perspectives. By explicitly focussing on the authors' divergence and disagreement, a richer understanding of self-defence against non-state actors is achieved, and the legal challenges and possible ways ahead identified.
Brief description: Dire Tladi is a Professor of International Law at the University of Pretoria. He is a member of the UN International Law Commission and is Special Rapporteur on Peremptory Norms of General International Law (Jus Cogens) and of the Institute de Droit International. He is former Deputy Legal Adviser of the South Africa Department of Foreign Affairs and previously legal adviser to the South African Mission to the United Nations in New York, including during its 2011-2012 tenure on the UN Security Council. He also served as Special Adviser to the South African Foreign Minister.