There is considerable variation in countries’ respect for human rights. Scholars have tried to explain this variation on the basis of current conditions in countries—such as democracy and civil war—and events from the recent past, such as ratification of human rights treaties. This...

In studies of compliance with international law, the focus is usually on the "demand side" – that is, how to increase the pressure on the state to comply. Less attention has been paid, however, to the consequences of the "supply side" – who within the state is responsible for the compliance....

A theory of customary international law Jack L. Goldsmith and Eric A. Posner -- A compliance-based theory of international law Andrew T. Guzman -- Do human rights treaties make a difference? Oona A. Hathaway -- Treaty reservations and the economics of Article 21(1) of the Vienna Convention...

Recommended readings (Machine generated): Jack L. Goldsmith and Eric A. Posner (1999), 'A Theory of Customary International Law', University of Chicago Law Review, 66 (4), Autumn, 1113-77 -- Andrew T. Guzman (2002), 'A Compliance-Based Theory of International Law', California Law Review, 90 (6),...