This volume examines comparatively the views and principles of seven prominent ethical traditions on one of the most pressing issues of modern politics - the making and unmaking of state and national boundaries. The traditions represented are Judaism, Christianity, Islam, natural law, Confucianism, liberalism and international law. Each contributor, an expert within one of these traditions, shows how that tradition can handle the five dominant methods of altering state and national boundaries: conquest, settlement, purchase, inheritance and secession. Written by a distinguished group of international specialists this volume is unique in providing both in-depth normative and comparative perspectives on a troubling question that will offer readers real insight into inter-tradition conflict. Those readers will range from upper-level undergraduates to scholars in such fields as philosophy, political science, international relations and comparative religion.

‘Most collections which deal with issues of this sort bring together a variety of more or less persuasive arguments. This collection, in contrast, will provide people with the means of making much better arguments about the subject. For it brings together in one volume the widest possible range of thinking about these issues. I learned a great deal from reading this volume and so will, I believe, almost everyone else interested in these issues, including those who already possess considerable expertise on the subject … Whatever your interest, whether it is to understand how different people approach boundary controversies or to figure out how to improve one’s understanding of them, this collection has something to teach you.’

Bernard Yack - University of Wisconsin-Madison

'… a more than adequate and well-focused treatment of the ethics of borders from a variety of highly influential traditions.'

Source: Bulletin of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies