APPRAISAL OF PEACEFUL MEANS OF INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

Abstract

Dispute has been a feature of relations between different international entities. People have suffered from the effects of wars in which millions have been killed. Since the dawn of human history until the present time, the world has witnessed a state of continuous disputes that take the form of conflict and violence, and reaches the point of war at times.  These disputes often result in tragedies and humanitarian problems for people. Humanity was not able to establish binding rules for settling disputes that were the cause of the outbreak of destructive wars. Throughout history, efforts have been focused on searching for the best ways to resolve disputes peacefully and reduce their effects when they became impossible to prevent. This paper seeks to explore the definition, classification and peaceful means of resolving international disputes known in international relations. Methodologically, the paper used a qualitative method through secondary sources to assess their benefits and weaknesses. The paper argues that international legal jurisprudence is more than clear on the usefulness of peaceful means of international dispute settlement.  However, these means are inseparable from weaknesses as well as the cost associated to them. The paper concludes that negotiation is the cheapest and most important diplomatic means that a state can resort to in its relations with other states, as it organizes these relations with the aim of achieving political goals and economic benefits. In addition, it ensures peaceful settlement by managing disputes, conflicts, and wars. It recommends that the rules mentioned in The Hague Conventions should be developed with regards to classification of international disputes.