International Law and Norms

Flashcards summarizing key concepts from the lecture on international law and norms.

International Law

A body of rules that binds states and other agents in world politics in their relations with each other.

Primary Rules

Negative and positive rules regulating behavior, such as 'Don't do X; you must do Y.'

Secondary Rules

Rules about how law is made; they structure the making of other rules.

Treaties

Formal agreements between states that require ratification and encompass various terms related to obligation, precision, and delegation.

Diplomatic Immunity

A principle that provides foreign diplomats protection from arrest or detention.

Customary International Law

Law that develops over time as states recognize practices as appropriate and correct.

High Obligation Law

International laws to which states are highly legally bound, such as the Geneva Conventions.

Low Obligation Law

Less binding international laws, such as certain Human Rights laws.

Precision in Law

The degree to which international legal obligations are fully specified.

Logic of Consequences

The reasoning that drives individuals to follow norms due to fear of negative outcomes.

Logic of Appropriateness

Acting based on what is deemed 'right' rather than fear of punishment.

Constructivism

A theory in international relations focusing on the social context and non-material factors, such as ideas and norms.

Norms

Standards of behavior for actors with a given identity that define what is considered appropriate action in particular contexts.

Violation of Norms

Consequences faced by individuals or states for not adhering to established norms, leading to condemnation or loss of reputation.