Req 4 — Law, Trade & Global Organizations
You choose TWO of the three options below. Read through all three to decide which ones interest you the most, then focus your preparation on those two.
Option A: International Law
What Is International Law?
International law is the set of rules and agreements that govern how countries interact with each other. Unlike national law — which is created and enforced by a single government within its borders — international law is created through treaties, conventions, and customs agreed upon by multiple nations.
Here is the key difference:
| National Law | International Law | |
|---|---|---|
| Who makes it? | A country’s legislature (like Congress) | Negotiations between countries, international organizations |
| Who enforces it? | Police, courts, government agencies | International courts, treaties, diplomacy, sometimes sanctions |
| Who must follow it? | Everyone within the country | Countries that agree to follow it (signatories) |
| What if you break it? | Arrest, fines, prison | Diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, international courts |
Sources of International Law
International law comes from several sources:
- Treaties — Written agreements between countries. Examples include the Geneva Conventions (rules of war) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
- Customary international law — Practices that countries have followed for so long that they are considered legally binding, even without a formal treaty. For example, the principle that diplomats cannot be arrested in the country where they serve.
- International organizations — Bodies like the United Nations create resolutions and frameworks that guide international behavior.
International Law and Conflict Resolution
International law provides tools for resolving disputes without war:
- Negotiation — Countries talk directly to work out a solution.
- Mediation — A neutral third party helps the countries reach an agreement.
- Arbitration — Both sides agree to let an independent panel decide the outcome, and they agree to follow the decision.
- Adjudication — A case is brought before an international court, like the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which issues a ruling.
Option B: International Trade
Key Trade Concepts
Before you dive into the news, make sure you understand these terms:
International trade is the exchange of goods and services between countries. The United States exports things like aircraft, machinery, and agricultural products, and imports things like electronics, oil, and clothing.
Foreign exchange is the system for converting one country’s currency into another’s. When you buy something made in Japan, someone has to convert U.S. dollars into Japanese yen to pay the manufacturer. Exchange rates change constantly and affect prices worldwide.
Balance of payments tracks all the money flowing into and out of a country. If a country imports more than it exports, it has a trade deficit. If it exports more, it has a trade surplus.
Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods. A country might charge a tariff on imported steel to make domestic steel more competitive. Tariffs can protect local jobs, but they also raise prices for consumers.
Free trade is the idea that countries should be able to trade with minimal tariffs or restrictions. Free trade agreements — like the USMCA between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada — reduce barriers and encourage commerce between partner nations.
Why Countries Must Cooperate
No country produces everything its people need. The United States does not grow enough bananas, coffee, or cocoa. Japan does not have enough oil. Saudi Arabia does not have enough farmland. Trade allows countries to specialize in what they do best and buy the rest from others.
When countries cooperate on trade:
- Prices drop because goods come from the most efficient producers
- Consumers get more choices
- Economies grow faster
- Countries become more interdependent, which can reduce conflict
When countries stop cooperating — through trade wars, sanctions, or isolation — prices rise, shortages occur, and tensions increase.
World Trade Organization — What Is the WTO? Learn how the WTO helps countries negotiate trade rules and settle trade disputes.Option C: Global Organizations
Choose TWO of the nine organizations below. For each one you select, be ready to explain what it does, why it exists, and how it affects people around the world.
1. United Nations and UNICEF
The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 after World War II to prevent future wars and promote international cooperation. Today, 193 countries are members. The UN works on peace and security, human rights, humanitarian aid, and sustainable development. Its main bodies include the General Assembly, Security Council, and International Court of Justice.
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is a UN agency focused on children. It provides vaccines, nutrition, education, and emergency relief to children in more than 190 countries. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions.
2. International Court of Justice (The World Court)
The ICJ is the principal judicial body of the United Nations, located in The Hague, Netherlands. It settles legal disputes between countries and gives advisory opinions on international legal questions. Only nations (not individuals or companies) can be parties to cases before the ICJ.
3. International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
Interpol helps police forces in 196 member countries work together to fight international crime. It does not send agents to arrest people — instead, it shares information, coordinates investigations, and issues “Red Notices” to help locate wanted criminals. Interpol deals with crimes like human trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism, and drug smuggling.
4. World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)
WOSM is the international body that coordinates Scouting around the world. It supports over 57 million Scouts in more than 170 countries. WOSM organizes events like the World Scout Jamboree and promotes peace, community service, and youth development globally. As a Scout, you are already part of this worldwide movement.
5. World Health Organization (WHO)
The WHO is a UN agency that works to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. It coordinates international responses to disease outbreaks (like COVID-19 and Ebola), sets health guidelines, and supports vaccination campaigns. WHO’s goal is the highest possible level of health for all people.
6. Amnesty International
Amnesty International is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that campaigns for human rights worldwide. It investigates abuses, publishes reports, and pressures governments to free political prisoners, stop torture, and protect freedom of expression. Amnesty has more than 10 million supporters in over 150 countries.
7. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
The IFRC coordinates the work of 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world. It responds to natural disasters, armed conflicts, and health emergencies. The Red Cross movement is guided by principles of humanity, impartiality, and neutrality — it helps anyone in need, regardless of nationality, race, or politics.
8. Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere (CARE)
CARE is an international humanitarian organization that fights global poverty. It works in nearly 100 countries, focusing on emergency relief, food security, education, and women’s empowerment. CARE is known for its “CARE Packages,” which were originally sent to survivors of World War II in Europe.
9. European Union (EU)
The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 European countries. Members share a common market, and most use a common currency (the euro). The EU promotes free trade, freedom of movement, and cooperation on issues like security, the environment, and human rights among its member nations.
You have explored international law, global trade, and the organizations that connect countries. Next, let’s look at the different ways countries govern themselves.