Description
With over 110 active armed conflicts in the world, within and between States, there is no denying that studies of war and armed conflicts form a part of International Relations studies as a key aspect if international relations. The question is – what can International Humanitarian Law teach us about International Relations, and what can International Relations inform us about International Humanitarian Law.
From the snapshot of post-World War Two, and the global movement to develop laws aimed at protecting individuals in armed conflict, to now, there has been a significant change in how armed conflicts are viewed.
This paper will consider what the two areas can teach us about the other, including the lack of implementation by both International Organisations and States, of International Humanitarian Law and how this impacts International Relations. It will also consider how countries’ disregard of International Humanitarian Law contributes to strained International Relations and whether increased compliance or respect would go some way to remedying this tension. When International Humanitarian Law is based on commonly agreed treaties, what can those processes, and the behaviour within the treaties, teach use about International Relations. It will also consider the expansion of the ‘hot battlefield’ and how this could further affect International Relations.
When International Relations are focused on the relationships between states and the people who govern them, this paper will consider whether International Relations can teach us anything about the development of International Humanitarian Law and parties’ behaviour within armed conflict.
Looking forward this paper will also consider whether cornerstones of International Humanitarian Law, such as agreeing treaties to benefit humankind and respect for individuals, both combatants and civilians, could inform the study of International Relations and the wider future of International Relations.
