This book investigates the degree to which modern international law mandates that states incorporate the interests of third parties and the global community into their national policy-making and diplomatic conduct. Editors Eyal Benvenisti and Georg Nolte compile a series of expert essays that analyze the transition of international law from a system rooted in bilateral consent to one increasingly focused on the protection of collective values and common interests. The work provides a systematic examination of how these community-oriented obligations manifest across various legal domains and institutional frameworks.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this collection as a significant contribution to the study of international legal obligations and the shift toward multilateralism. Experts highlight the academic rigor of the essays, noting that the text serves as a foundational resource for understanding the tension between state sovereignty and community interests in contemporary global governance.