Which best captures the ICJ's contribution to international law?

• A. It settles disputes between states
• B. It creates binding domestic laws
• C. It enforces international economic sanctions
• D. It conducts military action oversight

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that the International Court of Justice provides a peaceful, legally binding avenue for states to resolve disagreements and interpret international obligations. When disputes reach the court, it applies treaties, customary international law, and general principles to issue judgments that are binding on the parties involved, helping to clarify and develop international law as it applies to real-world cases. This is different from creating a country’s own laws; domestic legislation is made by each state’s government and enforced by its courts. The ICJ also doesn’t oversee military actions or enforce sanctions—that role lies with other bodies and mechanisms within the international system. So, the best description is that it settles disputes between states.