International law

International law, deals with the relationships between states, or between persons or entities in different states. It sub-divides into "public international law" and private international law (also called conflict of laws). When used without an adjective, "international law" generally refers to "public international law." Thus, public international law is defined as "the system of law which regulates the activities of entities possessing international personality." This article will concentrate on this aspect.

Historical basis for Public International Law

Throughout recorded history, rulers of states, kingdoms, and other political entities entered into treaties with each other to end or avert violent conflict. These treaties remained in force until they were superseded by subsequent events, which could take the form of violations of treaties that effectively rendered them void; new conflicts that made them irrelevant; or new treaties that established a new relationship.

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In addition, states adopted a number of spoken or unspoken conventions that dictated their interaction with each other. These ranged from rules of chivalry on the battlefield to diplomatic protocol.

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Finally, the introduction of the Rule of Law and attendant structures in states provided a common framework for resolving legal issues between and among states.

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The First Geneva Convention in 1864 convened European states to establish basic laws of war in Europe. The Paris Peace Conference, 1919 represented the first broad attempt at creating global, multilateral treaties, embodied in the formation of the League of Nations.

Related Topics:
First Geneva Convention - 1864 - Paris Peace Conference, 1919 - League of Nations

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The trend toward multilateral commitments has accelerated since then, and it is now meaningful to study international law as a means toward resolving conflicts among states.

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