Why does the author refer to domestic law?
International law is often dismissed as toothless because no world police force stands behind it. The dismissal confuses enforcement with effect. Most domestic law is obeyed without any officer present, because people expect others to obey it and because breaking it carries reputational and practical costs. Treaties on shipping, aviation and trade are followed for similar reasons; states that ignore them find their ships and aircraft refused entry and their goods refused markets. Where the law fails is on the great questions of war and security, in which a powerful state may judge that the cost of breach is lower than the cost of compliance. It is a mistake to infer from these cases that international law is without force in all the others.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. To argue that law is generally obeyed without constant enforcement
- Step 1: The author says most domestic law is obeyed without any officer present.
- Step 2: That undercuts the assumption that enforcement is the source of effect.
Answer
To argue that law is generally obeyed without constant enforcement.
Why not the others: The analogy does not rank strength, assert universal enforcement, merge two kinds of law, or reduce obedience to fear alone.
Practise more International affairs.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed LNAT mock tests.