In October I873, as every Conference Report recalls, the Associ ation for the Reform and Codification of the Law of Nations was founded in Brussels (Belgium). At the Brussels Conference of I895 the Association's name was changed and ever since it has been "The International Law Association". On August 30 and 3I and September I, I973, a Centenary Cele bration will be held in the Association's place of birth. In the course of preparations made for this triduum, plans were also laid by the Executive Council for a Centenary Volume to mark the event. The formula adopted for the book was mostly based on contributions by Chairmen and/or Rapporteurs of International Committees of the Association who were asked to shed light on "the present state" of their subject. Hence the title of the Volume. For good measure, vari ous other topics not coming under the terms of reference of Inter national Committees were added. Almost all of the authors invited responded favourably, and their studies are to be found in Part II, arranged in sections which have no other justification than the Editor's whim. It should be pointed out that Chairmen and/or Rapporteurs of International Committees wrote their articles a titre personnel and, therefore, cannot be deemed to express opinions held by their Com mittees as such. Part I contains the "other essays", dealing with the Association itself rather than with the present state of international law.

The role and position of non-state actors in international law is the subject of a long-standing and intensive scholarly debate. This book explores the participation of this new category of actors in an international legal system that has historically been dominated by states. It explores the most important issues, actors and theoretical approaches with respect to these new participants in international law. It provides the reader with a comprehensive and state-of-the-art overview of the most important legal and political developments and perspectives. Relevant non-state actors discussed in this volume include, in particular, international governmental organisations, international non-governmental organisations, multinational companies, investors and armed opposition groups. Their legal position is considered in relation to specific issue-areas, such as humanitarian law, human rights, the use of force and international responsibility. The main legal theories on non-state actors' position in international law – neo-positivism, the policy-oriented approach and transnational law – are covered at the beginning of the book, and the essential political science perspectives – on non-state actors' role in international politics and globalisation, as well as their soft power – are presented at the end.

The significance of this book, one of the essential works to examine the concept of nationality in international law, has been renewed by the emerging debate on the concept of citizenship in the context of the global human rights regime. Professor Donner starts from the basic rule that it is the right of each sovereign independent state to determine who are its nationals, as evidenced in their nationality legislation (the reserved domain) and in the practice of diplomatic protection. She proceeds with an analysis of any possible standards or rules set by public international law. This is a valuable study of one of the most fundamental issues in the law of nations.

How does a nation become a great power? A global order was emerging in the nineteenth century, one in which all nations were included. This book explores the multiple legal grounds of Meiji Japan's assertion of sovereign statehood within that order: natural law, treaty law, international administrative law, and the laws of war. Contrary to arguments that Japan was victimized by 'unequal' treaties, or that Japan was required to meet a 'standard of civilization' before it could participate in international society, Howland argues that the Westernizing Japanese state was a player from the start. In the midst of contradictions between law and imperialism, Japan expressed state will and legal acumen as an equal of the Western powers – international incidents in Japanese waters, disputes with foreign powers on Japanese territory, and the prosecution of interstate war. As a member of international administrative unions, Japan worked with fellow members to manage technical systems such as the telegraph and the post. As a member of organizations such as the International Law Association and as a leader at the Hague Peace Conferences, Japan helped to expand international law. By 1907, Japan was the first non-western state to join the ranks of the great powers.