This book investigates the extent to which global civil society influences international decision-making through the lens of the International Criminal Court's establishment. Marlies Glasius, a scholar of international relations, utilizes political science frameworks to analyze the complex negotiations surrounding the ICC. She evaluates the friction between opposing state interests, specifically the United States, and the proponents of the Court, while questioning the democratic legitimacy of civil society's role in global governance.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of international institutions and the role of non-state actors in global politics. Readers frequently note the clarity with which the author navigates the intersection of political theory and practical international diplomacy.