Binding and Non-Binding Instruments in Intergovernmental Relations

A diplomat’s guide to understand the concepts of treaty, memorandum of understanding, and ratification in theory and practice

By: Roberto Rodriguez, Mark Scully, John Tollefsen

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

“Binding and Non-Binding” is a much needed and anticipated guide written by experts for an audience of diplomats and specialists in international relations. It answers seemingly simple (but tricky) questions, such as “what is a treaty?” “what is ratification?” and “how can I tell if an international instrument is binding (a treaty) or not?” This book also tackles the difficult issue of the “MOU vs Treaty” classification which is extremely confusing and often leads to grave misunderstandings. Written a dynamic style with many practical examples, “Binding and Non-Binding” should be on the desk of every government official and legal analyst involved in diplomacy and global affairs. Published at the time when negotiated instruments are often misunderstood (The Copenhagen Accord, The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the P5+1 and Iran), this authoritative textbook is a welcome instance of practical and approachable academic publishing.