History and Development Flashcards Preview

Public International Law > History and Development > Flashcards

Flashcards in History and Development Deck (16)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Ancient History

A

Holy Alliance-Solemn Treaty 2100BC, on stone and defined territories
Ramese II of Egypt and King of Kittilies concerned peace and eternal brotherhood
Prophet Isaiah sworn agreements that even enemy must be respected
Asia/India treaties too but unknown
Greece/Roman then developed idea of natural law which is where most of the ideas for international law derive from

2
Q

Middle Ages

A

Religion and Church important as it was almost forced international law. Maritime regulations developed. Then scholars thought more about it and developed it from just natural law into it’s own form of law.

3
Q

19th Century

A

Eurocentric ideals of international law, had to change quickly alongside the industrialisation. Some treaties were founded, postal, telegraphic ones. Hague and Geneva peace conferences was established as well

4
Q

20th Century

A

WW’s, League of Nations failure to stop Germany, but laid the ground work for UN, Treaty of Paris failure - Not many countries, no real prevention as just ask to refrain from war and go to arbitration instead

5
Q

Purpose of UN

A

Maintain international peace and security - collective measures, prevention and removal of threats, conform with justice and international law.
Friendly Relations - equal rights and self determination
International co-operation - solving problems of economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character/promote Human Rights/Fundamental freedoms

6
Q

Media distortion of UN

A

Many believe it simply sends troops into countries, yet it deals with a significant number of other things to do with international law such as HR, maritime

7
Q

Definition of International law

A

Bentham - a collection of rules governing relations between states
Jessup - All actions/events that transcend national frontiers whether public or private (Individuals and states accountable)

8
Q

Nature of PIL - Naturalists

A

Relies upon natural law, which is meant to be derived from God. This then makes it superior. Universal principles which everyone must follow. Vitoria - Believed that the Spanish conquests were immoral as the natives were also humans and subject to natural law

9
Q

Positivists

A

Emerged when general confidence of Church declined. States were to be accountable to ideals such as fairness and divine will. Mainly concerned with state consent. Not universal system but fragmented by state obligations. Austin without an international superior legal system then merely laws on morality. Same time as first international treaties developed.

10
Q

Pragmatists

A

World needs it in order to function properly, always been an interdependency between states.

11
Q

Is International Law, Law?

A

Many claim it is not, yet it is still mainly complied with.

12
Q

Realist Theory (IL Law?)

A

Anarchic as no legitimate authority sitting above states, therefore irrelevant

13
Q

Facilitative Model (Consensual Theory) (IL Law?)

A

Law provides subjects with procedures within which they have to engage with one another

14
Q

Why do States obey International Law?

A
  • Violation would be detrimental to potential future interactions
  • Behaviour enshrined is of value and political rationale is clear
  • To maintain international order
  • Habitually formulate polices with act in accordance with it
  • Long term interests to do so
15
Q

Is International Law enforceable and adequate?

A

Just because states breach it does not mean it isn’t adequate as tend to justify breach with international law. Don’t tend to refute international law just explain why they broke it.
Sanctions can be put in place

16
Q

Powerful States v Little States

A

5 main ones UN so tend to use it to try and make the world what they want it via international law, but International law also gives platform to smaller countries (Nicaragua case)
No one nation can or should try to dominate another nation - Obama