International justice – or a cock-up?
Why we posted this: You can’t have too much international law – right? Wrong. Whilst one hopes for a nice global order of decency, it may be wise to let things stay untidy.
The original story:
When peace and justice collide
Gideon Rachman
Financial Times
8 July 2008
Summary of the story:
Gideon Rachman, a senior FT columnist, looks at several modern cases of villainous national leaders and warriors who have ended up in the International Criminal Court in the Hague. He looks at the difficulties in making these cases work. But he points to a worse dilemma. Even if things go well in the Hague, punishing bad leaders may backfire. This is especially sharp in the case of Zimbabwe’s future. There is a gang of people around Robert Mugabe who deserve punishment. But it may be that they can’t be got rid-of unless they believe that they are safe from prosecution.
livingissues comment:
It is natural to look for rules in international affairs. It is also tempting to believe that international institutions can provide and police them. And yet in the real world, deals have to be struck and the best can often be the enemy of the good. There is a lot to be said for an appreciation of pragmatism over principle.
It is also worth remembering that the kind of liberal campaigners who dominate our airwaves are drawn to principles and ideals, and like to bash the politicians and other realists who have to try to run the world as it actually is.
