THE System of International Law

International Law means principles, rules, and standards that govern nations and other participants in international affairs in their relations with one another. International law is the law of the international community. No single nation can create or modify international law. No statute of one nation or treaty between two nations can create global obligations. International law is not created, developed, or abolished by the demand of one country or a small group of countries. It exists as a result of the common consent and general acceptance of many nations. Most international law consists of long-standing customs, provisions agreed to in treaties, and generally accepted principles of law recognized by nations. Some international law is also created by the rulings of international courts and organizations.

The rules of international law are generally divided into laws of peace, of war, and of neutrality. Peace is considered the normal relationship between nations. The laws of peace define the rights and duties of nations at peace with one another. Each country has a right to existence, legal equality, jurisdiction over its territory, ownership of property, and diplomatic relations with other countries. Many of the laws of peace deal with recognizing countries as members of the family of nations and recognizing new governments in old nations. War is still recognized under traditional international law. Warring states are called belligerents. The laws of war provide definite restrictions on methods of warfare. Under international law, belligerents are forbidden to move troops across neutral territory. Neutral waters and ports must not be used for naval operations.

The purposes of international law include resolution of problems of a regional or global scope (such as environmental pollution or global warming), regulation of areas outside the control of any one nation (such as outer space or the high seas), and adoption of common rules for multinational activities (such as air transport or postal service). International law also aims to maintain peaceful international relations when possible and resolve international tensions peacefully when they develop, to prevent needless suffering during wars, and to improve the human condition during peacetime.

Enforcement of international law is often difficult because nations are sovereign powers that may put their own interests ahead of those of the international community. Enforcement may be effectively achieved through the actions of individual nations, agencies of international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), and international courts. The United Nations Security Council can authorize economic sanctions, diplomatic sanctions, or military force to maintain or restore international peace and security.

International law began as a system governing the relations among sovereign states, and states have always been the primary legal entities affected by international law. As the global system has become more complex, however, international law has come to recognize and regulate international organizations, businesses, nonprofit entities, and individuals. The emergence of international human rights law and, more recently, international criminal law reflects the fact that individuals today are direct subjects of international law in certain respects.

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