FROM CHAMPION TO SKEPTIC? AN APPRAISAL OF THE UNITED STATES POSITION TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL ADJUDICATION

The proliferation of international tribunals is widely regarded as one of the most significant development in International law over the past century. This article identifies various International Courts and Tribunals and the role of the United States in their establishment. The article discusses the declining support of the United States towards International Courts and tribunals especially following the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Nicaragua’s case. At the same time, the United States not only contributed in the 1990’s to the creation of the World Trade Organisation ((WTO) and the Dispute System body (DSB) it has not withdrawn from the ICJ. The article discusses some of the impacts of US withdrawal on International law and US affairs. It concludes with a recommendation for the US to change its attitude towards International adjudication since many of the problems facing the world, including the US cannot be solved by one nation alone ranging from global warming to the fight against terrorism.