International law is the body of standards, norms, and rules that govern the behavior of nations around the world. Although the definition of international law is rather broad, it is a very important set of legal principles to understand. In general, it is recognized as binding among nations. It can be confusing, but if you know what it is, you can better understand how it works. In short, it regulates the way countries deal with one another.
International law has been around for many years. The term first came about when theologian Theodore Woolsey wrote Introduction to the Study of International Law in 1860. He argued that the rule of morality applied to all nations and that no external power could impose a law on another country. Despite the origins of international law, it is still used today to refer to laws that apply only to states. Some countries, such as the United States, have even adopted their own rules and regulations.
Before international law was widely used, it was applied only to states. However, today, international organizations and individuals have been recognized as relevant parties. Furthermore, international humanitarian and human rights law includes corporations, and the Holy See. By far, the most important contribution of this field to the field of law is to define what it is. In this way, we can better understand how to deal with different situations, and how to enforce our own laws.