Fair Treatment of Future Humans: International Law, Common Heritage, and Intergenerational Equity

Author: (USA) Edith Brown Weiss
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-12-01
Features: The international community and nations worldwide are now facing new challenges that require theoretical tools to address them. In response to this challenge, this book was timely published. The research project was undertaken by Edith Brown Weiss and funded by the United Nations University. It also responds to another challenge: the need to develop the functions of international law to meet the demands of these issues. These challenges go beyond traditional theories and practices of international life, requiring responses from both theory and institutions to establish a more complex and mature order. This book takes corresponding steps in the field of international law. Clearly, the dimension of time is relevant to international law and cannot be considered subordinate to the dominant spatial dimension. Traditionally, the dimension of time primarily connects the present and the past. The uniqueness of the current research lies in systematically connecting the present and the future. The research of this project is part of a larger endeavor, and the author only discusses some specific issues, while much remains to be explored—a pressing task. Therefore, this book is not limited to discussing principles; it also analyzes some practical issues currently existing: How can the concept of intergenerational equity be promoted and reflected in international law? We have yet to organize "public opinion institutions" representing humanity or future generations—whose interests should be advocated for the future generations? What mechanisms should be established to understand and protect the interests of future generations?