Public international law / history of international law (1) S1

Question 1

Defenition public international law?

Answer 1

Public international law: the body of legal rules governing relationships between states, international organizations, and individuals at the international level

Question 2

Characteristics international law?

Answer 2

Characteristics international law:
1) Sovereign equality

2) Decentralized system

3) Consent-based

4) Universal character vs. diversity

5) Law and politics

6) Evolving focus

7) Self-regulation

Question 3

Explain what is meant by ‘sovereign equality’

Answer 3

Sovereign equality: all States, regardless of size or power, have equal legal status (introduced by Treaty of Westphalia, Article 2(1) of the UN Charter)

Question 4

Explain what is meant by ‘decentralized system’

Answer 4

Decentralized system: international law lacks a central authority; there is no global government, police force, or universal court with enforcement power

Question 5

Explain what is meant by ‘consent-based’

Answer 5

Consent-based: States are bound by international law primarily through their consent

Question 6

Explain what is meant by ‘universal character vs. diversity’

Answer 6

Universal character vs. diversity: international law aims to apply to all states, but differing legal traditions and cultures can cause disputes

Question 7

Explain what is meant by ‘law and politics’

Answer 7

Law and politics: political power often influences how international law is created and enforced (especially by stronger States)

Question 8

Explain what is meant by ‘evolving focus’

Answer 8

Evolving focus: the focus of international law has shifted from just maintaining peace (co-existence) to promoting cooperation on global issues like trade, human rights, and climate change

Question 9

Explain what is meant by ‘self-regulation’

Answer 9

Self-Regulation: subjects of international law (mainly states) are largely responsible for creating, interpreting, and enforcing the rules themselves

Question 10

Explain how the modern concept of international law began

Answer 10

Medieval Europa: the modern concept of international law began in the Middle Ages, influenced by natural law and the Catholic Church, which shaped early rules for rulers and territories