International Law and State Practice in Geopolitics; Part I
International LawBy LJ Howard, 4 January, 2022
RAUSI Research Brief Volume 3, Issue 1
Throughout global affairs, a state distinguishes itself in adopting its unique ‘state practice.’ State practice projects national values that endure over time and advances vital national interests that evolve over time. Diagnostic analysis of a state’s models of interpretation of international law is one of several means by which to delineate its state practice. Reverse engineering these models can expose and then either confirm or refute perceptions of underlying values and interests. This enables follow-on predictive and prescriptive analyses to increases confidence levels in other states’ cycles of planning and executing responsive policies and programs, and favourably shape future negotiations in multilateral diplomacy. This multipart study presents such a diagnostic analysis and affirms that the security of a coherent international legal system directly informs debate on security and defence.