Book Reviews Schütz, Raimund, Solidarität im Wirtschaftsvölkerrecht. Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, 1994. Pp 392. DM 134; sFr 84. This German dissertation examines the existence of a principle of solidarity in international economic law. The author explains that only a strict adherence to hard rules of positive international law will lead to meaningful results. His study includes detailed descriptions of the pertinent United Nations General Assembly resolutions, a UNITAR study and an ILA declaration, without discussing the respective legal relevance of these documents. The central part of this book is devoted to a detailed examination of the pertinent treaty law and national legislation as to the existence of legally enforceable rights in this area. These concern capital transfers, transfer of technology, preferential and non-reciprocal treatment in trade, and the stabilization of export earnings from commodities. Not surprisingly, the yield of this search is rather limited. The narrow focus of the investigation makes its outcome predictable and disappointing. The author's general conclusion is that there is a general principle of preferential treatment determined by the development needs of the less developed countries coupled with a certain reduction of discretion on the part of decision-makers in developed countries and in international organizations. But he emphasizes that this principle does not give rise to independent and immediate rights. This book offers plenty of descriptive detail but little in the way of general ideas. Christoph Schreuer School of Advanced International Studies Johns Hopkins University
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