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Public preferences for international law compliance: Respecting legal obligations or conforming to common practices?

Author

Listed:
  • Saki Kuzushima

    (University of Michigan)

  • Kenneth Mori McElwain

    (Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo)

  • Yuki Shiraito

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

Despite significant debate about the ability of international law to constrain state behavior, recent research points to domestic mechanisms that deter non-compliance, most notably public disapproval of governments that violate treaty agreements. However, existing studies have not explicitly differentiated two distinct, theoretically important motivations that underlie this disapproval: respect for legal obligations versus the desire to follow common global practices. We design an innovative survey experiment in Japan that manipulates information about these two potential channels directly. We examine attitudes towards four controversial practices that fall afoul of international law—same-surname marriage, whaling, hate speech regulation, and capital punishment—and find that the legal obligation cue has a stronger effect on respondent attitudes than the common practices cue. We also show subgroup differences based on partisanship and identification with global civil society. These results demonstrate that the legal nature of international law is crucial to domestic compliance pull.

Suggested Citation

  • Saki Kuzushima & Kenneth Mori McElwain & Yuki Shiraito, 2024. "Public preferences for international law compliance: Respecting legal obligations or conforming to common practices?," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 63-93, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:revint:v:19:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s11558-023-09487-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11558-023-09487-3
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International law; Public opinion; Survey experiment; Japan;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K33 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - International Law
    • K38 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Human Rights Law; Gender Law; Animal Rights Law

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