Test The modern use of international tribunals to try heads of state for genocide and Test The modern use of international tribunals to try heads of state for genocide and crimes against humanity is often considered a positive development. Many people crimes against humanity is often considered a positive development. Many people think that the establishment of special courts to prosecute notorious dictators think that the establishment of special courts to prosecute notorious dictators represents a triumph of law over impunity. In 'A History of Political represents a triumph of law over impunity. In 'A History of Political Trials', John Laughland takes a very different and controversial view. He Trials', John Laughland takes a very different and controversial view. He shows that trials of heads of state are in fact not new, and that previous shows that trials of heads of state are in fact not new, and that previous trials throughout history have themselves violated the law and due process. trials throughout history have themselves violated the law and due process. It is the historical account which carries the argument. By examining trials of It is the historical account which carries the argument. By examining trials of heads of state and government throughout history - figures as different as heads of state and government throughout history - figures as different as Charles I, Louis XVI, Erich Honecker, and Saddam Hussein - Laughland shows Charles I, Louis XVI, Erich Honecker, and Saddam Hussein - Laughland shows that modern trials of heads of state have ugly historical precedents. In their that modern trials of heads of state have ugly historical precedents. In their different ways, all the trials he describes were marked by arbitrariness and different ways, all the trials he describes were marked by arbitrariness and injustice, and many were gross exercises in hypocrisy. Political trials, he injustice, and many were gross exercises in hypocrisy. Political trials, he finds, are only the continuation of war by other means. finds, are only the continuation of war by other means. With short and easy chapters, but the fruit of formidable erudition and wide With short and easy chapters, but the fruit of formidable erudition and wide reading, this book will force the general reader to re-examine prevailing reading, this book will force the general reader to re-examine prevailing opinions of this subject. opinions of this subject.