38 The essence of law and the nature of international law
violence that would greatly undermine our ability to fght the disease.’88 The complex understanding of peace will be examined later in this book.
SPECIFICS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
International law
International law is a key part of the interstate system establishing the legal order in the system.
The principal subject of international law are (1) the state, although other international actors can also be regarded as the subjects, (2) which are similar to a state (but are not a state), as well as (3) subjects with a critical mission for the interstate system, and (4) international organisations, which are instituted via the delegation of some sovereign powers of the states.
Interstate system
The interstate system includes only interactions between certain subjects of international relations – the subjects of international law.
The main challenge for international law, as well as for the entire interstate system, is the avoidance of war and the institution of international peace.
International relations
International relations include all political and nonpolitical cross-border relations (actions and interactions) between states and non-state actors at the international level.
International law is established by the subjects of international law themselves. Application of international law takes place by the subjects of international law themselves. International law is reproduced through the specific forms (sources of international law).
FIGURE 1.4 International law – interstate system – international relations
88 ‘Secretary-General’s Remarks to the Security Council on the COVID-19 Pandemic [as Delivered]’ (9 April 2020) <www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2020-04-09/secretary-generals-remarks-thesecurity-council-the-covid-19-pandemic-delivered> accessed 16 March 2021.
