Question

Which of the following statements is true regarding treaties and international law?

• Countries rarely evaluate the treaty or agreement through the lens of domestic politics.
• There is no international power that can enforce treaty obligations.
• State laws in the United States supersede international treaty law.
• Even if a country does not sign a treaty, it is obligated to follow it if other countries have signed it.

Answer 1

In international law, treaty obligations are enforceable only for the countries that have signed them, and despite a lack of a central enforcement power, states often comply due to diplomatic and strategic reasons.

Step-by-step explanation:

There is no international power that can enforce treaty obligations. Countries are not bound by treaties they have not signed.

International law is primarily concerned with the rights and obligations of sovereign states. Relations between countries are governed by a combination of treaties, international agreements, and customary international law. Sovereign states willingly enter into treaties, which necessitate changes in domestic policies in alignment with international commitments, such as those set out by the Paris Climate Accord or the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).Although there has been a significant rise in agreements and international governance, enforcement mechanisms for international law are limited, relying on the power and will of states.

Treaties are not universally enforceable and require the signatory states' consent to their terms. States that have not signed a treaty are not legally obligated to abide by its terms. The lack of an 'executive branch' equivalent in global governance means enforcement of international law often depends on power dynamics, alliances, and the strategic interests of more powerful states.