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Bringing Law to the Table: Legal Claims, Focal Points, and the Settlement of Territorial Disputes Since 1945

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  • Paul K. Huth
  • Sarah E. Croco
  • Benjamin J. Appel

Abstract

In this article, we argue that international law can help state leaders reach a settlement in territorial disputes by suggesting a focal point for negotiations. International law is more likely to serve as a focal point when the legal principles relevant to the dispute are clear and well established and when one of the states in the dispute has a stronger legal claim to disputed territory. When these two conditions are present, we expect the state with a legal advantage to push for and receive favorable terms of settlement. In our analysis of all negotiated settlements in territorial disputes from 1945 to 2000, we find strong support for the importance of international law in influencing the terms of settlements. States with a strong legal advantage are more likely to secure favorable terms, whereas states lacking a strong legal claim are more likely to receive unfavorable terms.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul K. Huth & Sarah E. Croco & Benjamin J. Appel, 2013. "Bringing Law to the Table: Legal Claims, Focal Points, and the Settlement of Territorial Disputes Since 1945," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 57(1), pages 90-103, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:amposc:v:57:y:2013:i:1:p:90-103
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-5907.2012.00607.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Seiki Tanaka, 2016. "The microfoundations of territorial disputes: Evidence from a survey experiment in Japan," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 33(5), pages 516-538, November.
    2. Manuel Becker & Thomas Dörfler & Thomas Gehring, 2018. "Credible commitment without independent regulatory agent: Evidence from the Security Council's United Nations Compensation Commission," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(3), pages 395-412, September.
    3. Andrew P. Owsiak, 2015. "Forecasting conflict management in militarized interstate disputes," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 32(1), pages 50-75, February.
    4. David B Carter, 2017. "History as a double-edged sword," Politics, Philosophy & Economics, , vol. 16(4), pages 400-421, November.
    5. à slaug à sgeirsdóttir & Martin C. Steinwand, 2018. "Distributive Outcomes in Contested Maritime Areas," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 62(6), pages 1284-1313, July.

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