INTERNATIONAL LAW

WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL LAW?

INTERNATIONAL LAW

• A set of rules, regarded as binding - for stable IR
• Developed between nations not private citizens
• Supranational bodies may exist (EU, NAFTA)
• Not all treaties require nations to relinquish sovereignty
• Some agreements fulfilled by amending domestic laws (Geneva)

CHALLENGES

CHALLENGES

• We have enough difficulty getting Canadians to agree on law
• How do we create codes that are enforceable globally?
• How do we punish those who break them?
• How do we cooperate while maintaining sovereignty?
• How do we reconcile different belief systems?

DIVERSITY

• Laws come from mutual benefit, or moral correctness
• Need to be sensitive to diversity including:
• Politics, religion, culture, traditions, beliefs
• Ex: Iran/Islamic, Vatican City/Christianity
• Ex: French Canadian, aboriginal, immigrant rights

SOVEREIGNTY

REASONS

• Don't want to be seen as weak
• Don't want to be taken advantage of
• Obligation to help own people first
• Maintaining strategic alliances
• Don't want to sacrifice sovereignty

GERMANY AFTER WWII

COLD WAR

DIFFERENCES

• Capitalism v communism; whose way of life is better
• Who can achieve the most power
• Whose technology and weapons are better
• Who can do things faster, creatively, first of a kind
• NATO and Warsaw Pact - treaties to defend allies

PUNITIVE MEASURES

MEASURES

• Boycott, embargo, blockade
• diplomatic pressure
• Peacekeeping missions
• Protests
• Ex: Joe Fresh and Disney

DOMESTIC LAW VS. INTERNATIONAL LAW

• Domestic: Specifies behaviour,
• Specifies penalties, on-going enforcement
• International: lack of universal governing body,
• Lack of single court for penalties, no global police
• Too many jurisdictional hurdles (sovereignty)

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