This book investigates the causal mechanisms behind why sovereign states choose to enact domestic legislation that criminalizes genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Mark S. Berlin, a scholar of international law and human rights, utilizes a combination of quantitative analysis and qualitative case studies to explain the variation in state behavior regarding international criminal law. He argues that domestic adoption of these laws is driven by a complex interplay of international pressure, domestic political incentives, and the desire for international legitimacy.

Experts in international relations and legal studies identify this work as a rigorous contribution to the study of norm diffusion and state sovereignty. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored for researchers and students of international law rather than a general audience.