1. International law
CLN4U

2. Law Why is something legal in one country but not another?
What is “perspective”?
Religion, gender, culture, geography and language

3. World Government
Should the world community establish a supranational organization responsible for law-making?

8. What is International Law
“State”- organized political community under one government
International Law is a set of rules and customs that govern the relationships between ‘states’
Domestic law- rule of law- the state determine the laws and yet citizens within states can challenge the practices of their government
Sometimes the challenge can become an international one- allow citizens to take their complaints outside of their state

9. What is International Law
International law cannot become domestic law*
If international law is real in anyway it is through the agreements between states (bilateral or multilateral)
Main subjects of International Law:
Human rights
Regulating the use armed force
Protection of prisoners
Trade and development
Laws of the sea
Climate change
Transportation
Telecommunications
However, regardless the ultimate legal authority is always “sovereignty”

10. Thought
Should nations be allowed to act, within their own territorial boundaries, in any way they regard as functioning independently?

12. STATES
A states sovereignty can only be interfered with when certain requirements of international law are met (UN)
Formal equality between states
Therefore- free from intervention of their domestic affairs

13. International Governance Organizations
Organizations created by a legal documents (treaty) between two or more states
The United Nations
The only agency with the ability to use force is the Security Council
International Corrections and Prison Association
WHO
Nuclear Energy Oversight
Everything always goes back to sovereignty

14. International Law Mass of agreements among nations
There is no international force to ‘police’ nations that breach their agreements
State sovereignty vs. rules that apply to all humanity and to common areas if earth
International law- pre- 1918, , , Modern times

15. Principles of International Law
State sovereignty- unfettered right to conduct itself in any manner it chooses over its own territory
International law was seen as a guarantor of state independence
17th- 19th centuries- unoccupied land
2013 almost all areas on earth are under the sovereignty of states

17. Post WW2 Until WW2- state sovereignty- highest importance
Post WW2- this idea gave away to a broader view of the rights and responsibilities of state
Technology- communication, travel, trade
Laws were needed to regulate this

18. How is International Law Created?
There is no single international government
Consequently international law has developed as a result of countries agreeing to act or refrain in certain ways
Two ways of developing international law:
Customary Law and Treaty Law

19. Customary International Law
Established habits- countries have repeatedly behaved a certain way
It doesn’t matter if there is a formal requirement if countries BELIEVE they have to act a certain way
Diplomatic Immunity*
Laws of the sea (pre- 19th century)
Constant disputes

20. Treaties Formal agreement- sets out mutual rights and obligations
Ratification
Advantages?
Disadvantages?