The Legitimacy of International Rulemaking

When governments reach international agreements, or sign international treaties, we usually applaud. We take it as a good sign that the different countries around the world can get together on rules of behaviour and cooperate in managing global problems. However, rather surprisingly perhaps, there is no generally accepted explanation of what gives such agreements their legitimacy. In one sense this does not matter. Theorists can disagree and the world rolls on regardless. Nevertheless, it would help underpin international rulemaking if there were to be a general understanding. 
 
This post looks at the three main approaches, the first based on the role of states, the second on global values and the third on individual acceptance.

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