Governmental Status and Recognition in International Law

Who may act on behalf of a state for the purposes of international law? A coherent and universally accepted law on governmental status is crucial for the effective functioning of the international legal order. This study offers a comprehensive account of how states recognize governments and which criteria they rely on. Drawing on state practice since 2010, it argues that international law lays down an objective governmental standard in which effectiveness remains the dominant criterion. It stresses the distinction between legal and political recognition and examines the roles of the United Nations and of regional organizations. Tackling a foundational topic of international law, it is a useful resource for both practitioners and academics.