Fundamentals of International Politics
IPC 1501
ASSIGNMENT 02
Student Name : Silindokuhle Poni
Module Code : IPC 1501
, 1.1 Provide two different definitions of international law from the study material.
• International law is a body of rules and principles that govern the relations and
interactions between states and other international actors
• International law consists of binding rules accepted by states and other international
actors that regulate their behavior in areas such as diplomacy, war, trade, human rights,
and the environment.
1.2 Explain why international law is often defined in multiple ways.
• The definition of international law exists in multiple varieties due to its multiple participant
groups that include states alongside individuals and international organizations and the
diverse issues they regulate as well as the various legal systems involved. There are many
schools of thought about its nature and the others such as natural law & legal positivism
having varying views on its origins & its purpose.
2.1 Compare the natural law (jus naturale) and positivist (jus gentium) approaches to international
law.
• The theory of natural law says that international law comes from universal moral principles
and the reason and that they are binding on all human beings. By contrast, positivist theory
sees international law as a body of rules that are made by pleasure of free states, usually by
means of treaties, and customs.
2.2 Which approach do you think is more relevant in modern international politics? Substantiate
your answer with an example.
• The positivism theory remains more relevant today than others because it is in concordance
with modern diplomacy where states make deals in writing by entering into treaties. For
instance, the Paris Agreement on climate change is regarded as consent of States, which
counts for positivism.
3.1 Identify and explain two primary sources of international law.
• Treaties: These are formal legally binding agreements between states such as the UN
Charter.
• Customary international law:
3.2 How do these sources reflect either natural law or positivist principles?
• Treaties reflect positivist principles because they are based on state consent. Customary
international law can reflect both: it’s positivist when based on practice and consent, and
natural law when based on moral or ethical standards recognized universally.
IPC 1501
ASSIGNMENT 02
Student Name : Silindokuhle Poni
Module Code : IPC 1501
, 1.1 Provide two different definitions of international law from the study material.
• International law is a body of rules and principles that govern the relations and
interactions between states and other international actors
• International law consists of binding rules accepted by states and other international
actors that regulate their behavior in areas such as diplomacy, war, trade, human rights,
and the environment.
1.2 Explain why international law is often defined in multiple ways.
• The definition of international law exists in multiple varieties due to its multiple participant
groups that include states alongside individuals and international organizations and the
diverse issues they regulate as well as the various legal systems involved. There are many
schools of thought about its nature and the others such as natural law & legal positivism
having varying views on its origins & its purpose.
2.1 Compare the natural law (jus naturale) and positivist (jus gentium) approaches to international
law.
• The theory of natural law says that international law comes from universal moral principles
and the reason and that they are binding on all human beings. By contrast, positivist theory
sees international law as a body of rules that are made by pleasure of free states, usually by
means of treaties, and customs.
2.2 Which approach do you think is more relevant in modern international politics? Substantiate
your answer with an example.
• The positivism theory remains more relevant today than others because it is in concordance
with modern diplomacy where states make deals in writing by entering into treaties. For
instance, the Paris Agreement on climate change is regarded as consent of States, which
counts for positivism.
3.1 Identify and explain two primary sources of international law.
• Treaties: These are formal legally binding agreements between states such as the UN
Charter.
• Customary international law:
3.2 How do these sources reflect either natural law or positivist principles?
• Treaties reflect positivist principles because they are based on state consent. Customary
international law can reflect both: it’s positivist when based on practice and consent, and
natural law when based on moral or ethical standards recognized universally.
