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Which option best describes a major difference between international law and domestic law?

  1. International law is governed by treaties while domestic law is governed by statutes

  2. International law applies only to states, whereas domestic law applies to individuals

  3. There is no central authority in international law

  4. International law is less flexible than domestic law

The correct answer is: There is no central authority in international law

A major difference between international law and domestic law is the absence of a central authority in the realm of international law. Unlike domestic law, which typically operates under the jurisdiction of a centralized government or legal body that enforces laws and adjudicates disputes, international law lacks a single governing body with the power to enforce compliance among states. Instead, it relies on the consent of sovereign states to adhere to treaties and customary laws. This decentralized nature means that while countries may enter agreements and create binding treaties, enforcement often depends on the willingness of states to comply and uphold their obligations. Consequently, international law is characterized by a voluntary system of cooperation and dispute resolution, where states are expected to follow norms and treaties that they have ratified. The other options touch on relevant aspects of law but do not capture this fundamental structural difference. For example, establishing that international law is governed by treaties versus the presence of statutes in domestic law may illustrate operational differences, but it does not highlight the core distinction regarding authority and enforcement mechanisms. Similarly, the statement regarding the application of international law primarily to states versus the applicability of domestic law to individuals deals with the scope of law rather than its governing structure. Ultimately, while flexibility can vary in both domains, it does not define the major