Chapter 54

Question 1

International Law

Answer 1

Law that governs affairs between actions and that regulates transactions between individuals and businesses of different countries.

Question 2

Foreign Commerce Claus

Answer 2

A clause of the U.S. Constitution that vests Congress with the power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations.”

Question 3

Treaty Clause

Answer 3

A clause of the U.S. Constitution which states that the president “shall have the power… to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present concur.”

Question 4

Treaty

Answer 4

The first source of international law, consisting of an agreement or a contract between two or more nations that is formally signed by an authorized representative and ratified by the supreme power of each nation.

Question 5

Convention

Answer 5

A treaty that is sponsored by an international organization.

Question 6

United Nations (UN)

Answer 6

An international organization created by a multilateral treaty in 1945 to promote social and economic cooperation among nations and to protect human rights.

Question 7

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Answer 7

The judicial branch of the United Nations that is located in The Hague, the Netherlands. Also called the World Court.

Question 8

European Union

Answer 8

A regional international organization that comprises many countries of western and eastern Europe and was created to promote peace and security as well as economic, social, and cultural development.

Question 9

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Answer 9

A treaty that has removed or reduced tariffs, duties, quotas, and other trade barriers between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Question 10

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Answer 10

An international organization of more than 130 member nations created to promote and enforce trade agreements among member nations.

Question 11

WTO Panel

Answer 11

A body of three WTO judges that hears trade disputes between member nations and issues a “panel report.”

Question 12

WTO Dispute Settlement Body

Answer 12

A board composed of one representative from each WTO member nation that reviews panel reports.

Question 13

WTO Appellate Body

Answer 13

A panel of seven judges selected from WTO member nations that hears and decides appeals from decisions of the dispute-settlement body.

Question 14

National Courts

Answer 14

The courts of individual nations.

Question 15

Choice of Forum Clause

Answer 15

A clause in an international contract that designates which nation’s court has jurisdiction to hear a case arising out of the contract. Also known as a forum-selection clause.

Question 16

Choice of Law Clause

Answer 16

A clause in an international contract that designates which nation’s laws will be applied in deciding a dispute.

Question 17

Act of State Doctrine

Answer 17

A doctrine which states that judges of one country cannot question the validity of an act committed by another country within that other country’s borders. It is based on the principle that a country has absolute authority over what transpires within its own territory.

Question 18

Doctrine of Sovereign Immunity

Answer 18

A doctrine which states that countries are granted immunity from suits in courts of other countries.

Question 19

Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA)

Answer 19

An act that exclusively governs suits against foreign nations that are brought in federal or state courts in the United States. It codifies the principle of qualified, or restricted, immunity.