This collection of essays focusses on the following concepts: sovereignty (the unique, intangible and yet essential characteristic of states), statehood (what it means to be a state, and the process of acquiring or losing statehood) and state responsibility (the legal component of what being a state entails). The unifying theme is that they have always been and will in the future continue to form a crucial part of the foundations of public international law. While many publications focus on new actors in international law such as international organisations, individuals, companies, NGOs and even humanity as a whole, this book offers a timely, thought-provoking and innovative reappraisal of the core actors on the international stage: states. It includes reflections on the interactions between states and non-state actors and on how increasing participation by and recognition of the latter within international law has impacted upon the role and attributes of statehood.

'Substantively, the essays paint a picture of a legal landscape in transition - transitions recreating the international legal world in a more multipolar, diverse, yet perhaps unpredictable image. … As such, it is an anthology that would benefit any curious student of international law.' Lucas Hansen, New York University Journal of International Law and Politics

Christine Chinkin is Professor of International Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science, a barrister, a member of Matrix Chambers and William Cook Global Law Professor at the University of Michigan. Freya Baetens is Associate Professor of Law, Director of Studies and Head of the LUC Research Centre at Leiden University, The Netherlands, Visiting Professor at the World Trade Institute at Berne University, Switzerland, and Associate Lawyer with VVGB (Brussels Bar).