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International rules and laws play a very important role in the world today. They help to balance out world powers and create a more ordered international system, but they can also create drawbacks for certain states in different issue areas. Despite these drawbacks, the United States should work to strengthen international rules and laws in order to increase security and secure economic advantages.

International rules and laws are created with the intent to benefit the international community as a whole. Laws can protect states from taking advantage of one another or exercising unjust dominion. A relatively recent example of this is the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. The aggression was seen as a violation of an international law and was quickly thwarted by US forces with international support - thus protecting Kuwait and rebuking Iraq. Other examples of peace promoting international laws include the current endorsement of nuclear proliferation by many states and UN peacekeeping forces.

Economic advantages can also result from international rules and laws. International standards for electronics, for example, create goods which can be traded and used all over the world. Individual states may have the tendency to create trade barriers, but treaties and multilateral agreements allow states to lower barriers without threat of retaliation.

Nevertheless, laws and rules may also create some disadvantages. They can check a state's power and freedom by creating barriers or limits. This is especially true with powerful nations such as the United States. Pollution standards, for example, may limit a state's industry and thereby hurt its economy, even though they are good for the rest of the world. Rogue states may be disappointed by sanctions placed against them when they violate particular rules. Certain states may gain political leverage by obtaining nuclear weapons, but as revealed by actions against North Korea, the negative consequences of acquiring nukes may outweigh the benefits since it is frowned upon by most of the international community.

Although the US holds the largest share of the world's power, promoting international rules and laws will benefit the US more than harm it. The US exports more goods than any other nation and by promoting laws it can gain economic advantage and increase its power. Moreover, the US is always involved in foreign affairs. It can save money by pursuing peace promoting laws which might prevent other states from aggressive action and save the US from becoming involved in expensive military endeavors.

International laws and rules have helped the world develop and have increased prosperity and security in most states. The US should work to create laws and rules which will continue to increase its power and help make the world a better place.

About the Author

Blake Taylor has written many articles about political, financial, and economic issues. To learn more about finance or economics, visit www.fundamentalfinance.com. To read other political articles, go to www.fundamentalfinance.com/blogs.