This book investigates the tension between the expanding authority of international courts and the preservation of national sovereign freedom and democratic accountability. Andreas Follesdal and Geir Ulfstein, both prominent scholars in international law and human rights, curate a collection of essays from leading legal academics. The text evaluates whether international judicial bodies function primarily as dispute settlement mechanisms or as architects of legal precedent, and examines the legitimacy of their enforcement powers in relation to domestic democratic processes.

Experts identify this collection as a significant contribution to the discourse on global governance and the legitimacy of international institutions. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored for scholars, legal professionals, and advanced students of international relations.