David Kennedy (jurist)
Encyclopedia
David W. Kennedy is an American academic and legal scholar known for his work on, and criticism of, international law
. he holds an appointment as Vice President International Affairs at Brown University
, and the endowed chair as David and Marianna Fisher University Professor of International Relations, taking up these positions from January 1, 2008. Kennedy was formerly the Manley Hudson Professor of Law at Harvard Law School
and director of its European Law Research Center. Between 2008 and 2009, Kennedy served as the Director of Brown's Watson Institute for International Studies
where he inaugurated BIARI, an interdisciplinary workshop that focused on contemporary issues in global governance. After serving at Brown, Prof. Kennedy returned to Harvard Law School, and he is currently the Director of the newly formed Institute for Global Law and Policy (IGLP).
from Brown in 1976, graduating cum laude. In 1979 he completed a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
. He then attended Harvard Law School
to be awarded his J.D.
(magna cum laude) in 1980, after which he was admitted to the Bar in the District of Columbia. Kennedy returned to the Tufts and the Fletcher school to complete his doctorate studies, where he obtained a PhD
in international law and organizations, law and economic development in 1984.
In 1981 Kennedy took up a position as lecturer in Law at Harvard. Over the next 25 years Kennedy held a succession of academic appointments at Harvard, progressing through the academic rank
s as assistant professor, professor, and faculty director.
He has worked for the United Nations
, the European Commission
and in private practice. Kennedy is also a member of Council on Foreign Relations
, a position held since 2003.
Visiting professorships and scholarships held by Kennedy during his career include at Kiel and Hamburg universities (1980-81), the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), the University of Toronto
(1998/99), University of Paris X, Nanterre
(multiple appointments from 1995 to 2006), Australian National University
(2000), University of Turin
(2001/02) and the University of Freiburg
(2007/08).
and other methodological sources to engage international law
. His book Dark Sides of Virtue: Reassessing International Humanitarianism (2005) offers a critique of the international human rights
movement and puts forward an alternative vision of global governance. In addition to dozens of articles on legal history and theory, Kennedy has authored three other books, most recently, The Canon of American Legal Thought (edited with William W. Fisher
, 2006), and Of War and Law (2006).
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
. he holds an appointment as Vice President International Affairs at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, and the endowed chair as David and Marianna Fisher University Professor of International Relations, taking up these positions from January 1, 2008. Kennedy was formerly the Manley Hudson Professor of Law at Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
and director of its European Law Research Center. Between 2008 and 2009, Kennedy served as the Director of Brown's Watson Institute for International Studies
Watson Institute for International Studies
The Watson Institute for International Studies is a center for the analysis of international issues at Brown University, focusing mainly on global security and political economy and society. Its faculty span a wide range of disciplines, including, anthropology, economics, political science, and...
where he inaugurated BIARI, an interdisciplinary workshop that focused on contemporary issues in global governance. After serving at Brown, Prof. Kennedy returned to Harvard Law School, and he is currently the Director of the newly formed Institute for Global Law and Policy (IGLP).
Life and career
David Kennedy obtained his A.B.Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Brown in 1976, graduating cum laude. In 1979 he completed a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
. He then attended Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
to be awarded his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
(magna cum laude) in 1980, after which he was admitted to the Bar in the District of Columbia. Kennedy returned to the Tufts and the Fletcher school to complete his doctorate studies, where he obtained a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in international law and organizations, law and economic development in 1984.
In 1981 Kennedy took up a position as lecturer in Law at Harvard. Over the next 25 years Kennedy held a succession of academic appointments at Harvard, progressing through the academic rank
Academic rank
This list of academic ranks identifies the hierarchical ranking structure found amongst scholars in academia, whether tenured or non-tenured. The lists below refer specifically to colleges and universities throughout the world, although other institutions of higher learning may follow a similar...
s as assistant professor, professor, and faculty director.
He has worked for the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
and in private practice. Kennedy is also a member of Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
, a position held since 2003.
Visiting professorships and scholarships held by Kennedy during his career include at Kiel and Hamburg universities (1980-81), the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
(1998/99), University of Paris X, Nanterre
Nanterre
Nanterre is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located west of the center of Paris.Nanterre is the capital of the Hauts-de-Seine department as well as the seat of the Arrondissement of Nanterre....
(multiple appointments from 1995 to 2006), Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
(2000), University of Turin
University of Turin
The University of Turin is a university in the city of Turin in the Piedmont region of north-western Italy...
(2001/02) and the University of Freiburg
University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg , sometimes referred to in English as the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.The university was founded in 1457 by the Habsburg dynasty as the...
(2007/08).
Research and publications
He is one of the leaders of New Stream or New Approaches to International Law movement which draws from Critical Legal StudiesCritical legal studies
Critical legal studies is a movement in legal thought that applied methods similar to those of critical theory to law. The abbreviations "CLS" and "Crit" are sometimes used to refer to the movement and its adherents....
and other methodological sources to engage international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
. His book Dark Sides of Virtue: Reassessing International Humanitarianism (2005) offers a critique of the international human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
movement and puts forward an alternative vision of global governance. In addition to dozens of articles on legal history and theory, Kennedy has authored three other books, most recently, The Canon of American Legal Thought (edited with William W. Fisher
William W. Fisher
William "Terry" W. Fisher III is the WilmerHale Professor of Intellectual Property Law at Harvard Law School and faculty director of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society...
, 2006), and Of War and Law (2006).
External links
- Harvard Law School, faculty profile for David Kennedy
- Watson Institute, faculty profile for David Kennedy
- David Kennedy named VP of International Affairs, Brown University
- Fletcher Alumnus, Professor David Kennedy, publishes, The Dark Sides of Virtue
- Teaching Militarists How to Cover Their Tracks
- September 28, 2006 lecture on the book Of Law and War