International Law
Overview
There is no world police force and no world government. And yet states mostly keep their promises to one another, mostly respect each other's borders, and can, in some circumstances, be taken to a real court and ordered to pay compensation or change their behaviour. International law makes this possible without a single global authority standing over every state.
In this lesson you will trace where international law comes from, meet the key courts, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and the European courts, and understand precisely what each can and cannot do, and examine the role NGOs and social movements play in pushing international law to change.
Objectives
- The origins, development, sources of and milestones in the emergence of international law; the role of international laws, institutions and agreements in protecting the rights and freedoms of people
- Key institutions of international law, including the roles of the International Criminal Court (ICC), International Court of Justice (ICJ) and European Courts; fundamentals of the content of treaties in international law
- Recognising the importance of social movements, charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in raising awareness and campaigning for change to international law
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on International Law. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which court settles legal disputes between states that have accepted its jurisdiction? A) The International Criminal Court B) The International Court of Justice C) The European Court of Human Rights D) The European Court of Justice Answer: B
- The International Criminal Court prosecutes: A) States accused of breaching a treaty B) Individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or aggression C) Companies accused of environmental damage D) NGOs accused of breaking domestic law Answer: B
- The principle of complementarity means the ICC acts: A) Before any domestic court has considered the case B) Only where a state is unable or unwilling to prosecute the crime itself C) Only when the UN Security Council orders it to D) Only against states, never individuals Answer: B
- The European Court of Human Rights hears cases brought by: A) One state against another state B) Individuals against a state that has ratified the European Convention on Human Rights, once domestic remedies are exhausted C) The UN Security Council against a non-compliant state D) NGOs against individuals Answer: B
- A key limit on enforcing an ICJ ruling against a non-compliant state is that: A) The ICJ has no judges B) Referral to the UN Security Council for enforcement can be blocked by a permanent member's veto C) The ruling is not written down D) Only individuals can be bound by ICJ rulings Answer: B
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Recommended Books
Practice Mock Questions
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