International Law Flashcards
what is international law?
*in theory * it governs INDEPENDENT NATIONS BEHAVIOUR and their RELATIONSHIPS with ONE ANOTHER. there is NO GOVERNMENT to enforce this, but it is MORALLY ENFORCEABLE (countries get ‘bullied’ into contracts ex. if you don’t join we won’t be friends)
what is sovereignty?
SUPREME POWER/ AUTHORITY over geographical territory.
what is appeasement?
‘turning a BLIND EYE’/ willfully blind to an issue. ex. when countries didn’t stop the Nazi’s from expanding
what is customary law?
PATTERNS of CONDUCT that are accepted as OBLIGATORY RULES (laws). oldest form of international law, stems from customs and conventions (ex. white flag is a symbol of peace).
what are customary laws described as?
OBLIGATORY, CONSISTENT, and REASONABLE
what is a diplomat?
STATE OFFICIAL who REPRESENTS their country in negotiation, information, public relations, etc. Members of the UN. They get certain privileges and immunities when in foreign countries (ex. wife who drove on wrong side of road)
what is an ambassador?
ACCREDITED DIPLOMATIC AGENT of the highest rank. appointed as the REPRESENTATIVE of a GOVERNMENT. before global communication this was the quickest way to communicate with another nation
what is the charge d’affaires?
DIPLOMAT temporarily taking the PLACE OF an AMBASSADOR until one can be appointed
what is the high commissioner?
Canadas AMBASSADOR from the UNITED KINGDOM (since we are part of the commonwealth)
what is immunity?
DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY: diplomats are EXEMPT from LOCAL LAWS in other countries (promotes cooperation). protects them from breaking an unknown law in a foreign country (and being subject to punishment)
what is an embassy?
official HEADQUARTERS of an ambassador. you can get work visas, passports, etc. from here. when visiting an embassy you are LEGALLY ‘IN’ that country
what happened with Princess Margriet when she was born?
location in Canada where she was born was TEMPORARILY declared to be EXTRATERRITORIAL by the government, so she took the citizenship from her mother (not the country she was in)
how is territory identified?
according to ACCEPTED BORDERS. international interaction is based on territory and sovereignty
what are borders?
IMAGINARY LINES drawn on a map that ESTABLISH PARAMETERS of a nations AUTHORITY (this is understood as a sovereignty)
what is international territory?
territory that does NOT fall under ANY PARTICULAR NATIONS AUTHORITY or BORDERS (not occupied or controlled) ex. the moon, international water, the UN, antarctica
what are international zones?
area governed by INTERNATIONAL LAW or TWO or more NATIONS
what are green zones?
in areas of CONFLICT, a PROTECTED area to keep diplomats SAFE
what are demilitarized or neutral zones?
in countries in CONFLICT, NO WEAPONS allowed or act as a BUFFER between borders
what is a diplomatic asylum?
when someone enters an EMBASSY to be PROTECTED from religious or political PERSECUTION. usually your life is in jeopardy ex. you spoke out against the counrty
what is a treaty?
FORMAL AGREEMENT between two or more nations in reference to PEACE, ALLIANCES, etc. It is like a CONTRACT, where each country has obligations
what is extradition?
the SURRENDER of an ACCUSED or CONVICTED person by one COUNTRY TO ANOTHER. most countries decline surrendering their own people (especially in the US, they will try them but never give them up)
