From Idealism to Realism; a Survey in the Basis of International Law

Idealism and Realism have always been under considerations by different fields of studies, inter alia, the law. While Idealism pays attention to the emergence of the ideals, Realism relies on the necessity of the acceptance of existent realities. International law from the prospect of its legal basis has been an obvious area of confrontation of this two schools of thought. The International community tries to reach far and unavailable goals persistently; but, usually has been stuck in the realities of the world order. Nevertheless, international law could also form some ideals as its legal rules. Thus, international law is the place where the two ideas meet. This article is an attempt to find the answer of the question that the legal order of international law depends more on which one of the foregoing schools of thought and by which it has been more impressed. Finally, it will be observed that the international law passes the way to reach its admirable ideals by always considering the realities of the international community.