What Use Is John Rawls’ Theory of Justice to Public International Law?

For the past thirty years lawyers and philosophers have from time to time wondered how to apply John Rawls\u27 Theory of Justice to international relations. Now John Rawls has tried to do so himself, making the question even more pressing for those of us who care about international law. Rawls\u27 own effort, and its deficiencies, make clear that it would be a bad idea to apply the ideas of his Theory of Justice to international relations. International lawyers and statesmen should leave Rawls\u27 books on the shelf for philosophers