国际法的起源和新发展

Origin and New Development of International Law

国际法是有关国家之间的法律,它源远流长,但直到17世纪主权国家的产生,国际法才得以正名并名副其实地出现在国际舞台上,并随着国际社会的发展而丰富和充实,对维护世界和平,调节国家民族之间矛盾,促进世界发展起着积极的作用。然而国际法也有它天生的瑕疵,不仅国际法林林总总不可能十全十美,而且对违法者(特别是大国)其约束力也是很有限的。

International Law refers to laws governing the relationships between countries.It has a long history going far back,yet it was not until the appearance of sovereign states in the 17th century that the term was coined,when international law began to play its increasingly important role on the international stage.With the development of the international community,people have been enriching and substantiating international law,which makes positive contribution to the maintenance of world peace,to the mediation of disputes between states or ethnic groups,and to the promotion of global development.The international law,however,is not without its inborn limitations or defects.Various laws constitute international law,but they are far from enough or perfect.Besides,it has very limited binding power on law-breakers(especially when the law-breaker is a big power).