ABSTRACT
Commonly views about international law seem to divide into the sceptical and the idealistic.
This divergence is apparent at the very mention of international law whether it is in public
discussion of international affairs or in classroom debate. Whatever the forum or context,
the mention of international law seems to imply the invocation of a well-meaning
set of rules which, according to whether one is a pessimist or an optimist, are either a
mere cloak for the pursuit of real political and economic interests or, alternatively,
a potential foundation for that more harmonious and settled world order which could be
achieved if only baser motives and suspicions could be eliminated from world affairs.
