International law

International law (pronunciation: /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl lɔː/) is a system of treaties and agreements between nations that governs how nations interact with other nations, citizens of other nations, and businesses of other nations.

Etymology

The term "international law" originated in the 18th century, though its roots can be traced back to ancient times. The term "international" was first used by Jeremy Bentham in 1780, derived from the Latin "inter" (between) and "natio" (nation). The term "law" comes from the Old English "lagu" meaning something laid down or fixed.

Related Terms

Treaty: A formal agreement between two or more states in reference to peace, alliance, commerce, or other international relations.
Sovereignty: The full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies.
Diplomacy: The profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country's representatives abroad.
Jurisdiction: The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.
Human Rights: Rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.
War Crime: An action carried out during the conduct of a war that violates accepted international rules of war.
United Nations: An international organization formed in 1945 to increase political and economic cooperation among its member countries.