Historical Evolution Of Public International Law

Jahanvi Singh, National Law Institute University, Bhopal

ABSTRACT

Public international law has developed historically over millennia, reflecting the intricate relationships and changing standards between sovereign nations and other international players. This corpus of law progressively evolved alongside the growth of human communities and cross-border exchanges, with origins in ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, where the first types of treaties and diplomatic conventions formed. The Roman Empire's rise to power was a momentous occasion because Roman law established the foundation for contemporary legal theories, such as the idea of jus gentium, or the law of nations. But the present state-centric system of international relations did not start to take shape until the Peace of Westphalia (1648), which recognised state sovereignty and upheld the ideal of non-interference in domestic matters. Through treaties, conventions, and customary practices, international law was codified throughout the ensuing centuries, covering a range of topics related to state behaviour, including territorial sovereignty, diplomatic immunity, and the proscription of aggression. Unprecedented challenges to the established framework of international law occurred in the 20th century, including two world wars and the founding of international institutions like the United Nations and the League of Nations, which were meant to advance cooperation, security, and peace between nations.

Growing globalisation and the rise of new players, including non-state enterprises and international organisations, have challenged conventional ideas of sovereignty and statehood in the post-Cold War era. The historical development of public international law, in spite of these changes, emphasises its adaptability and resilience in meeting the various demands and difficulties of the international community while upholding the core values of justice, equality, and peaceful coexistence between states.