Beginning with the extraordinary rescript by Tsar Nicholas II in August 1898 calling the world's governments to a disarmament conference, this book charts the history of the two Hague peace conferences of 1899 and 1907 – and the third conference of 1915 that was never held – using diplomatic correspondence, newspaper reports, contemporary publications and the papers of internationalist organizations and peace activists. Focusing on the international media frenzy that developed around them, Maartje Abbenhuis provides a new angle on the conferences. Highlighting the conventions that they brought about, she demonstrates how The Hague set the tone for international politics in the years leading up to the First World War, permeating media reports and shaping the views and activities of key organizations such as the inter-parliamentary union, the international council of women and the Institut de droit international (Institute of International Law). Based on extensive archival research in the Netherlands, Great Britain, Switzerland and the United States alongside contemporary publications in a range of languages, this book considers the history of the Hague conferences in a new way, and presents a powerful case for the importance of The Hague conferences in shaping twentieth century international politics.

This book reconsiders the origins of the European human rights system, arguing that its conservative inventors, foremost among them Winston Churchill, conceived of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as a means of realizing a controversial political agenda and advancing a Christian vision of European identity.

An Age of Neutrals provides a pioneering history of neutrality in Europe and the wider world between the Congress of Vienna and the outbreak of the First World War. The 'long' nineteenth century (1815–1914) was an era of unprecedented industrialization, imperialism and globalization; one which witnessed Europe's economic and political hegemony across the world. Dr Maartje Abbenhuis explores the ways in which neutrality reinforced these interconnected developments. She argues that a passive conception of neutrality has thus far prevented historians from understanding the high regard with which neutrality, as a tool of diplomacy and statecraft and as a popular ideal with numerous applications, was held. This compelling new history exposes neutrality as a vibrant and essential part of the nineteenth-century international system; a powerful instrument used by great and small powers to solve disputes, stabilize international relations and promote a variety of interests within and outside the continent.

This publication is the most comprehensive international book on arbitration in Argentina. It provides a complete description and analysis of the historical and contemporary structure of arbitration law and practice in the country, which is based on the UNCITRAL Model Law. Its chapters are authored by many of the most regarded Argentine authorities, many of whom are responsible for drafting Argentina’s current arbitration regulation. Throughout its thirty-one chapters, the book covers an ample number of topics in commercial and investment arbitration, and an exhaustive analysis of arbitration in different specific fields (energy, sports, consumers, among others). Some of the topics addressed in this book include the following: regulatory framework of arbitration in Argentina; arbitration agreements; arbitral proceedings and the applicable law; issues of arbitrability; interim measures; costs and financing of arbitrations; validity, recognition and enforcement of awards; arbitration and the MERCOSUR. This publication also includes some particular studies, for example those related to the tensions between investment arbitration and human rights, as well as the relationship between the country and the ICC, and the PCA. Although mainly focused in Argentina, the discussions contained in several contributions exceed such geographical boundaries. Given that the law and practice of arbitration in Argentina has seen remarkable changes in recent decades, this book is an essential tool for arbitrators, judges, in-house counsels, global law firms, large- and medium-sized companies doing transnational business, interested academics, and international arbitration centres. Because this publication draws from the teachings and experience of leading academics and practitioners, arbitration specialists will find in it all the guidance needed to identify and assess the different theoretical and practical legal avenues available when working on arbitrations with a seat in Argentina or with an Argentine element.