National law is the set of rules that govern legal decisions. These rules are decided by the courts and legal profession. National law does not simply state reasons behind the rules; it also applies to the judicial system. There are three primary approaches to interpreting national law. First, there is the textual approach, which looks for the ordinary meaning of the text. This approach puts more weight on the actual text.

Second, there is the federal law system. This consists of laws passed by the United States Congress. They are either signed by the president or can be passed over his veto. Then, there are the individual laws, which are organized by subject in the United States Code. There are also regulations, which are rules made by the executive departments.

Third, there is the natural law approach, which emphasizes universal principles. This approach entails a universal standard of conduct. Those standards are based on the tenets of civilized nations. Ultimately, these principles are the basis for the creation of a nation-state. The goal is to protect and enhance human rights, and to preserve social order. However, it is also important to consider that a state’s actions have a legal impact on the citizens of that state. If a nation violates this rule, it is violating the fundamental law of reason and the natural law of that country.

Until the mid-19th century, relations between states were governed by treaties. However, most of these treaties were not binding and were not enforceable except through force. One example is the Lieber Code of 1863, which governed the U.S. army during the Civil War. It is considered the first written recitation of the rules of war. It also led to the first prosecution of war crimes, when a Confederate commandant was found guilty of cruel conditions at Andersonville, Georgia.