Which of the following best describes the primary reason states often comply with international law, according to scholars Abram and Antonia Chayes?

The influence of dynamics created within treaty regimes

The constant threat of military intervention by global powers

The fear of immediate economic sanctions by the UN

The lack of alternative methods for conducting foreign policy

The Indus Waters Treaty is frequently cited as an example of:

The efficacy of legal frameworks in maintaining engagement during political discord

The necessity of UN Security Council intervention in regional conflicts

The failure of bilateral agreements in the face of territorial disputes

The transition from colonial-era laws to modern international standards

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12 August 2026

Relevance of international law

The topic provides conceptual context on the efficacy and limitations of international law, which is useful for framing answers in GS2 and GS4, though it lacks the specificity of a direct policy or treaty event.

Notes

International law is defined by rules and legal principles based on consensus, rather than power alone.
States continue to justify their actions through international law, citing the UN Charter, sovereignty, and international humanitarian law, indicating its ongoing relevance.
Scholars Abram Chayes and Antonia Handler Chayes suggest state compliance is driven by dynamics within treaty regimes rather than just fear of sanctions.
International law facilitates daily global operations, including aviation, maritime trade, and diplomatic norms.
Recent multilateral legal efforts include the High Seas Treaty, pandemic preparedness initiatives, and the UN Convention against Cybercrime.
India's adherence to the Indus Waters Treaty during periods of political discord serves as a model for the efficacy of legal frameworks.
International law provides a platform for developing nations to protect interests through negotiation rather than relying solely on power.
Structural limitations exist within the UN Security Council and the broader legal order, but crises historically lead to adaptation and renewal rather than the system's collapse.

Part of a longer story

This is day 2 of 2 in Relevance and Efficacy of International Law, which has been running since 11 August 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

Despite the prevalence of armed conflicts, international law remains a cornerstone of global stability. Discuss how legal frameworks serve as a mechanism for state cooperation and dispute resolution in an era of geopolitical uncertainty. 150 words

Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min

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Critically analyze the relevance of a rules-based international order for the Global South. How do international legal instruments provide a framework for developing nations to address transnational challenges such as climate change and cyber-security? 250 words

Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min

0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

Which of the following best describes the primary reason states often comply with international law, according to scholars Abram and Antonia Chayes?

The Indus Waters Treaty is frequently cited as an example of:

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

Do not write the obituary of international law yet

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