International law today

International law emerged as a functional necessity, as a set of rules for the Westphalia state system. International law spread from its Eurocentric base to become a global framework, especially after the break-up of colonial empires and the creation of numerous new states. The chief role of international law is to accommodate mutual interests and allow for peaceful change. Among the earliest sources of international law were ethical principles and the writings of publicists. Realist thinking in modern political science gave international law short shrift but constructivists, since the 1990s, have recognized its power to help structure an international society. International law is inchoate as a legal system and far from the level of accomplishment found in a well-governed state. The future of international law is promising but not guaranteed.

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Author: international

Mentioned in these Entries

Customary International Law, History of International Law, The gentle civilizer of nations : the rise and fall of international law.