International Law

How does international law differ from domestic law in terms of who makes it and how it is enforced? What are the main sources of international law, such as treaties, customs, and general principles? Why do states usually follow international rules even when there is no global police force to compel them? How can power imbalances between large and small states shape the development and application of international law? Can you think of an example where international law influenced your own country’s policies or debates?

What basic rules govern when states are allowed to use military force against others? How do concepts like self-defense, humanitarian intervention, and war crimes fit into international legal frameworks? What mechanisms exist to investigate and prosecute serious violations, such as genocide or crimes against humanity? How do politics and power sometimes limit the effectiveness of international courts or tribunals? What examples can you think of where the law of war tried to reduce suffering, even when conflict could not be avoided?

What roles do organizations like the United Nations, regional unions, or specialized agencies play in global governance? How do states share authority with international bodies while still trying to protect their own sovereignty? In what areas—such as health, migration, or disaster relief—has international cooperation been especially important? What are some of the main criticisms of large international organizations, and how might they be reformed? How do ordinary people, NGOs, and social movements influence the decisions made in international forums?

How do international trade and investment agreements shape what governments can and cannot do with their economies? What are the potential benefits and harms of strong protections for foreign investors and global corporations? How do international economic rules affect workers, consumers, and small businesses within individual countries? What tensions arise between protecting the environment or public health and honoring trade commitments? How might a fairer system of international economic law look from the perspective of poorer countries?

What parts of the world—like the high seas, polar regions, outer space, or the atmosphere—are treated as shared global spaces? How does international law try to manage shared resources and prevent environmental damage that crosses borders? What challenges arise when some countries benefit more than others from exploiting common resources? How can international agreements on climate change, biodiversity, or pollution be made more effective and fair? What responsibilities do individuals, cities, and companies have in addressing problems that international law alone cannot solve?