International Law & UN

Question 1

International Law

Answer 1

• The law that governs states and other international actors
• Cannot be enforced the same way because there’s no world government
• The purpose is to manage state to state relation.
• Two branches
  
  • public, private

Question 2

Private Internatioal Law

Answer 2

-Refers to the regulation of international activities carried out by individuals, companies and other non-state actor.

Question 3

Public International Law

Answer 3

• applies to the states, which are viewed as legal ‘person’

- Govt. to govt. relations

Question 4

The Peace of Augsburg

Answer 4

• 1555
• This consisted of a series of treaties that, amongst other things, reaffirmed the independence of German principalities from the Holy Roman Empire, and allowed them to choose their own religion.

Question 5

The Peace of Westphalia

Answer 5

• 1648
• Consisting of the Treaties of Osnabruck and munster, this initiated a new political order in central Europe based on the principle of state sovereignty and the right of monarchs to maintain standing armies, build fortification and levy taxes.

Question 6

The Treaties of Utrecht

Answer 6

• 1713
• These established the peace of utrecht which consolidated the principle of sovereignty by linking sovereign authority to a fixed territorial boundary.

Question 7

Beginnings of International Law

Answer 7

• Writings from Hugo Grotius

- Important figure, theories focused on the conditions of war

Question 8

League of Nations

Answer 8

Failed attempt at a global government
established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles
The League of Nations goals were very similar to that of the UN today
to promote peace amongst other nations
Although the efforts of the League of Nations was considered a failure becuase of the outbreak of WWII.
October 24, 1945 after World War II in order to prevent another similar conflict the UN was formed with 51 countries at first and now is currently comprised of 193.

Question 9

Soft Law

Answer 9

Law that is not binding and cannot be enforced

Question 10

Hard Law

Answer 10

Law that is enforceable

Question 11

Natural Law

Answer 11

A moral system to which human laws do. or should, conform.

Question 12

Treaties

Answer 12

Formal agreements between two or more countries

Question 13

Why is International Law Obeyed?

Answer 13

• Self-interest and reciprocity
• Fear of disorder
• Fear of isolation
• Fear of punishment
• Identification with international norms

Question 14

Main Disputes About International Law

Answer 14

Between Realists and Liberal views

Question 15

UN Charter

Answer 15

“All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the UN”

Question 16

What is the UN Security Council?

Answer 16

• The United Nations’ most powerful body which was established in 1945 after WWII starting out with 51 countries to encourage peaceful resolutions among nations.
• One of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
• They hold the “primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
• They take the lead in addressing the existence of threats to international peace.
• They can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain international security.

Question 17

Five powerful countries sit as “permanent members”

Answer 17

United States
Russia
France
China 
Britain

Question 18

The Peacekeeping Failure in Srebrenica

Answer 18

Now known as Eastern Bosnia
Considered by many as a clear failure of the UN Peacekeeping and of the UN Security Council.
Seen as the “worst massacre in post-Second World War European history” by several groups
The area was declared a “UN Safe Zone”
There were 600 UN Peacekeeping Troops Deployed in Srebrenica in July that year.
During this time the Bosnian Serb army was advancing
The army took UN troop members hostage before they had arrived
The Bosnian Serb army demanded the Muslims hand over all their weapons in exchange for safety.
The killings began two days later
During this time the UN troops were under strict orders not to intervene