The Influence of International Law on States

Abstract

International law in its basic concept is intended to serve as legal framework for society of States. International law prescribes what is right and what is wrong; it also prescribes how State behaves toward one another; and it provides sanctions. However, the above description is international law as understood in class room. In reality, international law is frequently used as a political instrument by States. It can be an instrument to exert pressure, instrument for intervening on other States domestic affairs without considered as violation and it can also be used to justify States’ actions. The present article will describe how States have used international law on Indonesia as political instrument and how Indonesia have used international law to further its national policy.