Primary Effects of Secondary Rules: Institutions and Multi-Level Governance

Document Type

Book Section

Publication Date

11-2016

ISBN

978-1-349-95053-9

DOI

10.1057/978-1-349-95053-9_2

Abstract

Ku and Diehl’s chapter broadens the traditional conception of secondary rules, defining the international legal system as composed of operating and normative subsystems respectively. Three sets of mechanisms by which secondary rules influence primary rules are examined: (1) configuring institutional frameworks, (2) enhancing the credible commitment of new primary rules, and (3) institutions directly or indirectly making normative law. The conclusions are that secondary rules play important roles in each of these areas. A consistent theme is that the operating system can reduce uncertainty and fill gaps in the existing governance structures. There, secondary rules promote efficiency and coherence in the law. There are, however, instances in which such rules complicate matters, as in several cases lawmaking might be stifled and governance not promoted.

First Page

29

Last Page

57

Num Pages

29

Publisher

Palgrave Macmillan

Place

London

Editor

Monika Heupel & Theresa Reinold

Book Title

The Rule of Law in Global Governance

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