An Overview of the Problem

Abstract

States in the contemporary world have assumed greater international obligations than in the past, not only because areas of mutual concern and contacts among them have significantly increased during recent years but also because there has been an increase in the number of international organizations, both technical and political, which regulate international relations. This expansion of international obligations has been accompanied by efforts toward more effective international control of national affairs. Equally true is the observation that, as long as the basic unit of interplay in the international community remains the “sovereign” state, these units will be able to counter attempts to impose repugnant obligations upon them. Consequently, progress toward a more harmonious and united world, founded on the principles of peace and mutual security maintained by such international organizations as the United Nations, cannot be achieved unless there is a reasonable balance between the goals of individual states and those of international organizations.