Global Advanced Research Journal of History, Political Science and International Relations ISSN:2315-506X
March 2012 Vol. 1(2), pp 056-064
Copyright © 2012 Global Advanced Research Journals

Review

A realistic perspective on international legislation

Jasper Doomen

Leiden University J. Perkstraat 4 A, 2321 VH Leiden The Netherlands.

E-mail:  jdoomen@gmail.com; Phone: 0031 715 278 515

Accepted 29 March, 2012

Abstract

The status of ‘international law’ is examined critically. In the first section, the basis of (national) legislation is described. This consists of an inquiry into a credible meaning of ‘natural law’. It is focused on the question of whether universal principles exist and, if so, of what kind. Section 2 deals with the issue of enforcement. National legislation invariably realizes this, but this is not obvious at the international level. Section 3 deals with human rights. It is discussed whether their presence points to the existence of ‘international law’. To this end, a possible reason for these rights to have developed is expounded.

Keywords: International law, human rights and Legislature