The Future of International Law

First published in German before the outbreak of World War I, this concise work explores the aspirations and challenges facing the emerging system of international law. Its author, a leading professor of international law, situates his analysis in the legacy of the Hague Conferences and the then‑recent efforts to codify peaceful dispute resolution. The text reflects the uneasy optimism of a pre‑war era, when scholars believed legal frameworks could restrain the ambitions of powerful states.

In the wake of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, the author revisits his earlier arguments, weighing the promises of the newly formed League of Nations against its practical shortcomings. He urges nations to bind their military and economic resources to the authority of international courts, offering concrete proposals for collective security. Readers will find a thought‑provoking snapshot of legal theory at a pivotal moment, illuminating debates that continue to shape global governance today.