1. International Law

2. International Law ~The Basics ~Creating IL ~Primitive Nature
~Adherence

3. Its Roots Western influenced European, then US domination
Father of International Law
Age of Reason
Natural Law
Hugo Grotius ( )

4. Issues Early law  war Contemporary law  transnational issues
More actors, contact
Need rules
Differences between cultures
Cultural relativism
Singapore & gum

5. Creating Int’l Law Sovereign states pursue self-interests
Based on customs & agreements
Bilateral, multilateral pacts
Form IGOs
Help establish agreements
Monitor adherence UN
Int’l Court of Justice, UN Atomic Regulator, UN Environmental Programme, many more for diff. issues
INTERPOL
Coordinates policing
IMF
Monetary regulation
WTO
Trade regulation

6. Creating Int’l Law: Mercury Agreement
Why is the Minamata Convention important?
Mercury exposure = highly toxic
Bad for people
Inhale, ingest, skin contact
Harms environment
Seeps into soil, pollutes water, poisons animals and plants
Minamata, Japan- one of world’s worst cases
Local chemical plant water pollution
Minamata Disease

7. Creating Int’l Law: Mercury Agreement (cont.)
What does it regulate?
Supply, trade, use
Emission reduction in mining, power plants, metals production
Why did 140+ states agree?
In their self-interest
Straightforward, uncontroversial objective
Won’t restrict coal burning
24% emissions
Relatively easy fix

8. Primitive Nature Based on customs, agreements
Coastal territory
No overarching enforcement authority
Sovereignty
Requires cooperation
Self-interests

9. Adherence So, is international law really law? Compliance is voluntary
Russia and Crimea – UN declares vote illegal
Means of enforcement
Most states obey international laws- Why?
Ex. : U.S. compiles with WTO cotton subsidy ruling
Reputation
Long-term benefits v. short term losses
Employ means to convince states to comply
Sets precedence for cooperation

10. Adherence What is at issue in A Line in the Sea? What was the ruling?
Peru and Chile have maritime boundary dispute
Peru turned to International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Wants more territory
1952 ‘treaty’ was just fishing agreement
What was the ruling?
ICJ- Peru gets more territory
Hito 1 was customary line
Chile keeps inshore control

11. Adherence Why will Peru and Chile likely comply?
Each got some territory
Got ICJ ruling- good to abide by it
Trade interests
Bolivia’s complaint

13. Adherence What is at issue in Force Majeure? Why doesn’t China comply?
China claims lots of the South China Sea
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) claims
Philippines claim Spratly Islands, EEZ
IGOs to settle dispute: UN, ASEAN
Vietnam claims Paracel Islands, EEZ
Led to rioting
Why doesn’t China comply?
Claims are valid; UNCLOS is wrong

14. International Law: Recap
~ The Basics
~Creating IL
~ Primitive Nature
~Adherence

15. IL & Lord of War How does Lord of War demonstrate IL is primitive?
IL regulating weapons trade
Based on agreements
ATT
Means of enforcement
IGOs lack real authority
Compliance is voluntary
Up to the states

16. IL & Lord of War What issues/events does Lord of War address?
CW-arms build-up; post-CW sales
P-5 biggest arms dealers
Civil war
Child soldiers
Refugee camps
Human security issues
Health, poverty, lack of opportunities
Transnational crime
Illegal trade in guns, blood diamonds, drugs