BOOK: Frederik DHONDT, Balance of Power and Norm Hierachy. Franco-British Diplomacy after the Peace of Utrecht [Legal History Library, vol. 17; Studies in the History of International Law, vol. 7, ed. Randall LESAFFER] (Leiden/Boston: Martinus Nijhoff/Brill, 2015), 636 p. ISBN 9789004293748

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(image source: Brill)

It is my pleasure to announce the publication of Balance of Power and Norm Hierarchy. Franco-British Diplomacy after the Peace of Utrecht, an updated, redrafted and extended version of my doctoral dissertation in law (promoter: Prof. D. Heirbaut/UGent), defended at Ghent University on 13 September 2013.  This publication is part of the book series "Legal History Library" and the sub-series "Studies in the History of International Law" (editor: Prof. R. Lesaffer/Tilburg-KUL).

Abstract:

Balance of Power and Norm Hierarchy: Franco-British Diplomacy after the Peace of Utrecht offers a detailed study of French and British diplomacy in the age of ‘Walpole and Fleury’. After Louis XIV’s decease, European international relations were dominated by the collaboration between James Stanhope and Guillaume Dubois. Their alliance focused on the amendment and enlargement of the peace treaties of Utrecht, Rastatt and Baden. In-depth analysis of vast archival material uncovers the practical legal arguments used between Hampton Court and Versailles. ‘Balance of Power’ or ‘Tranquillity of Europe’ were in fact metaphors for the predominance of treaty law even over the most fundamental municipal norms. An implacable logic of norm hierarchy allowed to consolidate peace in Europe.

The book is available both on paper (€ 179 + tax) and electronically (with the possibility to buy separate chapters, € 25 + tax).
 
Table of contents:

• Preliminary Material

  • Source: pp i –xii

• Introduction

  • Source: pp 1 –40

• The System of Stanhope and Dubois (1717–1723)

  • Source: pp 41 –252

• Stanhope and Dubois’s Diplomatic Legacy

  • Source: pp 253 –428

• Jealousy and Misunderstandings? The Disintegration of the European System (1731–1740)

  • Source: pp 429 –499

• Conclusion

  • Source: pp 500 –514

• Chronology

  • Source: pp 515 –550

• Simplified Genealogies

  • Source: pp 551 –566

• Sources

  • Source: pp 567 –584

• Bibliography

  • Source: pp 585 –627

• Index

  • Source: pp 628 –636

See also the preview on Google Books.