Answer to Question #256624 in Political Science for uNkotha

Question

Explain the evolution of international law

Answer 1

International law is a set of rules which are binding between countries and aims to ensure security and peace among various nations. International law is there to maintain world order and peace, settle various disputes among different nations and individuals and to provide vital rights. In the Hebrew Bible and in other ancient records and inscriptions, there are evidences of the observance of certain usages as to international intercourse, such as embassies and rules of warfare.

The origins of international law can be traced back to ancient times.  The Roman Empire established an early conceptual framework for international law, "law of nations", which ruled both the status of foreigners living in Rome and relations between foreigners and Roman citizens. International law involved state actors and inter-state relations. Individuals, organizations, regional bodies, non-governmental institutions and the like were left outside the reach of international law.

The growth of international law came largely through treaties concluded among states accepted as members of the family of nations, which first included the states of Western Europe, then the states of the New World, and, finally, the states of Asia and other parts of the world.