I used to try and combat the amazing ignorance of international-law-hating self-styled libertarians too, but eventually I decided it was bad for my blood pressure. And Mr Gray does it far better than I.
Incidentally, I’d be delighted to see a World Government. Not because I think it’d be any better than anything we’ve got now (although there’s no particular reason, based on the examples of the EU and the UN, to believe that it would be appreciably worse), but because it would really, really, really annoy most of the people I despise.
I am flattered :)
EG
The "amazing ignorance" you refer to, derives, presumably, from the link you provided which said this: "Whom do I lobby to if I want to change international law? Whom do I vote for? If anyone knocks on your door between now and Thursday, ask ’em that. If they can come up with anything remotely within their jurusdiction, vote for ’em."
I keep re-reading it, but for the life of me, I can’t see anything either ‘amazing’ or ‘ignorant’ about it. I thought it raised a rather pertinent question, particularly if you object to unelected people imposing laws on you.
The answer is in the comments on the same thread.
EG
Bad for your blood pressure? I imagine that I will be struck dead by a massive heart attack while reading Samizdata or some other right-wing website and the people discovering my dead body will draw all the wrong, and shameful, conclusions.
Perhaps I ought to disguise what I’m doing – maybe I should have some windows opn with hardcore porn and keep my trousers round my ankles while I surf the web for right-wing opinion. That would be a much more honourable way to die.
That is to say, windows on my computer screen. Obviously I don’t want anyone passing by to see that I read right-wing websites and draw the wrong conclusion.
Watch out Euan – DD will put you on his ‘Trot-Lot’ list if you’re not careful!
There is a problem with "policy laundering" though, which is where a government pushes some international body to adopt a policy which would be unpopular at home, then claims to the domestic audience that it was forced to implement it. This is particularly a problem with patents, and more recently biometric IDs via ICAO.
I think international law that regulates nations (like the Geneva convention) is very sensible, but international law with jurisdiction over individuals is suspect.