Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
  1. Home
  2. Books
  3. Against the World
Publisher:
University of South Africa
Online publication date:
March 2020
Print publication year:
2017
Online ISBN:
9781868888795
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/879-5
Subjects:
UN and International Organisations, Area Studies, African Studies, Law, Politics and International Relations, African Government, Politics and Policy
Information

Book description

Against the World maps South Africa’s journey to increasing isolation in the United Nations, from a respected member in 1945 to a pariah’ in the early sixties. The book reveals how this country became the main architect of its own growing isolation, since it refused to modify domestic policies that alienated even its potential allies. Its low profile in debates and constant abstention on human rights instruments were seen as a lack of interest in global humanitarian affairs. Events unfold from 1945, when Field Marshall JC Smuts proposed the adoption of a Preamble to the United Nations Charter. Three years later, South Africa refused to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Global criticism against apartheid intensified, until in 1960 it culminated in calls from African members for economic and diplomatic sanctions. By 1961, South Africa had become isolated in the United Nations and relegated to a moral wilderness. For the modern reader of history and social affairs, the book clarifies South Africa’s past and present role in the evolution of international humanitarian law.

Refine List

Actions for selected content:

Select all | Deselect all
  • View selected items
  • Export citations
  • Download PDF (zip)
  • Save to Kindle
  • Save to Dropbox
  • Save to Google Drive

Save Search

You can save your searches here and later view and run them again in "My saved searches".

Please provide a title, maximum of 40 characters.
Cancel
×

Contents

Contents

Metrics

Full text views

Total number of HTML views: 0
Total number of PDF views: 0 *
Loading metrics...

Book summary page views

Total views: 0 *
Loading metrics...

* Views captured on Cambridge Core between #date#. This data will be updated every 24 hours.

Usage data cannot currently be displayed.