International Society: Principles, Justice, and Global Order

Concept of International Society

The concept of International Society refers to a group of states that share common interests or values and participate in the maintenance of international institutions. It can be defined as the community of all nations and all people.

International Society vs. International Community

The International Community is a natural and spontaneous unity, whereas International Society is structured in an artificial way. In the community, ethical issues and common values prevail, while in the society, legal issues and legislation take precedence.

Fundamental Principles of International Society

• The International Common Good: Relations between actors must be guided by the universal common good—the good of all people. The purpose of all law is the promotion of the common good, which exists above particular interests. It represents the good of every person, both as an individual and as a social being in relation to others.
• International Solidarity: States should cooperate in economic, social, and cultural fields, as well as in science and technology, to promote international progress and economic growth.
• Freedom and Self-Determination: The principle of freedom recognizes self-determination: the capacity of each people to decide their own common good. Enshrined in the UN Charter, this grants everyone the right to freely determine their political status and pursue their own development.
• Subsidiarity: The international community should only provide a subsidiary role and never directly manage the national common good of a people. Every nation is primarily responsible for its own development.
• Justice: Justice operates on three levels:
  • International Justice: Equal state sovereignty.
  • Individual or Human Justice: Human rights.
  • World Justice: What is right or good for the world as a whole.

  Sovereignty carries a double meaning: Political (acting according to one's own will) and Legal (the absence of legal obligation to show obedience to a superior).

• Peace: International peace is a common good achieved through cooperation and justice among all nations. A primary purpose of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security, taking effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats in conformity with the Principles of Justice and International Law.