Cambridge Studies in International and Comparative Law: Series Number 4: Sovereignty over Natural Resources: Balancing Rights and Duties

In modern international law, permanent sovereignty over natural resources has come to entail duties as well as rights. This study analyses the evolution of permanent sovereignty from a political claim to a principle of international law, and examines its significance for a number of controversial issues such as people's rights, nationalization and environmental conservation. Although political discussion has long focused on the rights arising from permanent sovereignty, Dr Schrijver argues that this has been at the expense of the consideration of the corollary obligations it also entails. His book thus identifies directions sovereignty over natural resources has taken in an increasingly interdependent world and demonstrates its relevance to debate on foreign-investment regulation, the environment and sustainable development.

List of boxes, figures and tables; Preface; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; List of main symbols used in UN documents; Glossary; Table of cases; 1. Introduction; Part I. The Birth and Development of the Principle: The UN General Assembly as Midwife: Introductory remarks to part I; 2. The formative years (1945-1962); 3. Promoting economic development by the exercise of permanent sovereignty: the period after 1962; 4. Permanent sovereignty, environmental protection and sustainable development; 5. Permanent sovereignty over natural resources in territories under occupation or foreign administration; Summary and appraisal of part I; Part II. Natural-Resource Law in Practice: From Creeping National Jurisdiction Towards International Co-operation: Introductory remarks to part II; 6. International investment law: from nationalism to pragmatism; 7. The law of the sea: extension of control over marine resources; 8. International environmental law: sovereignty versus the environment?; Appraisal of part II; Part III. Balancing Rights and Duties in an Increasingly Interdependent World: 9. Rights and claims: seeking evidence of recognition in international law; 10. Duties: the other side of the coin; 11. Sovereignty over natural resources as a basis for sustainable development; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.