Rules (DP IB Global Politics): Revision Note

Rules-based international system

• A rules-based system is one in which countries follow agreed laws, rules and institutions to guide their behaviour and resolve disputes

  • It is linked to the theory of liberalism and emerged after the devastation of World War 2 to keep peace and support development

  • As part of an interconnected global community, countries must work together to ensure peace and prosperity

• Accepted laws and norms must be followed by all states and non-state actors

  • Although state sovereignty is respected, large intergovernmental organisations, such as the United Nations, World Trade Organisation and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, guide and enforce the principles of these laws

• Realism argues that the idea of a rules-based international system is an illusion

  • States will always act in their own self-interest and will only follow laws and rules if they benefit from them

The role of IGOs

• Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) are made up of member states that work together to cooperate on international issues and achieve shared goals

• They play an important role in a rules-based international order

• Obligations of states are outlined in the foundation treaties of all IGO

  • These are the rules members must follow

  • There are also general agreements directly related to the purpose and values of the IGO

    • For example, upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is required as part of membership in the United Nations

• IGOs formulate specific laws and treaties and encourage member states to ratify them

  • Member states of an IGO debate and discuss political issues of global significance 

  • The IGO then formulates a law outlining the requirements of states 

  • States have the right to either agree to the law or refuse it - in this way state sovereignty is respected

  • If the state agrees and ratifies the law, the IGO monitors its application within states, and may take action against a state if it is violated

Challenges to a rules-based international system

• The biggest challenge to the idea of a rules-based international system is that it relies on the willing participation of states

  • Rules only work if they are universally accepted

  • States must see that a rules-based approach is beneficial to them and to global stability

  • If states violate the rules, it can be very challenging for IGOs and other actors to force them to comply

  • Powerful states are more able to get away with behaviour that violates rules more easily than less powerful states

• In recent years the idea that we live in a rules-based international system has been challenged