Neutrality and international sanctions : Sweden, Switzerland and collective security /

The foreign policies of neutral countries have received periodic attention in world-politics literature, ranging from international law texts to studies of neutrals' survival in war (see, for example, E. Karsh's Neutrality and Small States, CH, May'89). Ross (Northeastern University) examines the circumstances under which neutrals will participate in collective international sanctions such as economic embargoes authorized by international organizations. He explores four case studies of Swedish and Swiss participation/nonparticipation under the League of Nations and United Nations frameworks. As he carefully melds international legal and investigative political science approaches, the author makes subtle and useful distinctions between Swedish and Swiss approaches to neutrality, especially underscoring the reasons for Sweden's generally more activist approach. He stresses the role of both the international context and domestic political elites. Interspersed are illustrative data on trade and economic connections between the neutrals and the states targeted for sanctions. An especially important addition to university and legal libraries; also relevant for business audiences. -F. S. Pearson, University of Missouri--St. Louis