Question

in comparison with other civilized systems of law, international law has distinctive characteristics that have led some observers to question the propriety of calling it \law.\ there is no international legislature comparable to a congress or parliament that can enact, by a majority vote, new rules of law binding on all states. treaties, which are sometimes called \international legislation,\ bind only such states as consent to be bound by them. very few treaties have been accepted by all states. the development of new rules through customary practice is a slow and uncertain process, giving rise to many controversies. there are, furthermore, no international courts with jurisdiction over all states. even the international court of justice, a principal organ of the united nations, has no such jurisdiction. if a state sues another state before the international court of justice, or any other international tribunal, the suit will fail unless it is shown that the defendant state has consented to be sued. as a result, only a small proportion of international disputes are decided by international tribunals. other disputes remain unsettled or are settled by political procedures in which law often plays a minor part. and, finally, there is no world government to enforce international law by coercive measures. although the united nations has wide powers to maintain international peace and security, the enforcement of international law in situations not involving peace and security is not one of its functions. the observance of international law thus rests largely on voluntary compliance and on the force of public opinion.

1. below are three possible titles for this passage. in each blank, write the letter of the phrase (a, b, or c) which best describes that title.

the international court of justice
weaknesses of international law
history and characteristics of laws
(a) comprehensive title
(b) too narrow
(c) too broad

1. the word \states,\ according to the context of this passage, refers to

(a) states in the united states
(b) all u.s. states except hawaii and alaska
(c) all countries of the world
(d) countries like the u.s. and the u.s.s.r. which are divided into states

1. the selection indicates that

(a) national laws are generally weak and unenforceable
(b) the international court of justice of the united nations creates international laws
(c) countries are bound only by treaties they accept
(d) the united nations international court of justice settles the majority of conflicts between countries

1. according to the selection, all of the following statements are correct except

(a) a country cannot be sued in the international court of justice unless it agrees to be sued
(b) the international court of justice cannot depend on the united nations to enforce that courts decisions
(c) the united nations enforces all international law
(d) some observers have questioned whether international law should really be called law

1. according to the selection, which three characteristics listed below are absent from international law but are considered by some observers to be necessary for real law?
2. voluntary compliance and the force of public opinion

ii. a legislative body to write laws
iii. an organ to enforce laws
iv. a judicial body to decide all cases
(a) i, ii, and iii
(b) i, iii, and iv
(c) ii, iii, and iv
(d) i, ii, and iv

Explanation:

1. The passage focuses on the weaknesses of international law, so "The International Court of Justice" is too narrow as it just mentions one aspect, and "History and Characteristics of Laws" is too broad. "Weaknesses of International Law" is a comprehensive title.
2. In the context of international law, "states" refer to all countries of the world.
3. The passage indicates that countries are bound only by treaties they accept as treaties bind only states that consent.
4. The United Nations does not enforce all international law as the observance of international law largely rests on voluntary compliance and public - opinion force.
5. Some observers think international law lacks a legislative body to write laws, an organ to enforce laws, and a judicial body to decide all cases, while voluntary compliance and public - opinion force are already present in the current international law situation.

Answer:

1. Weaknesses of International Law: (A) comprehensive title

The International Court of Justice: (B) too narrow
History and Characteristics of Laws: (C) too broad

1. C. all countries of the world
2. C. countries are bound only by treaties they accept
3. C. the United Nations enforces all international law
4. C. II, III, and IV