An Analysis of the Nature of International Law in Herbert Hart's Philosophical Theory

In the contemporary world the existence of international law, its purpose and nature has been challenged by some of legal thinkers. Therefore bringing a justification to these doubts and analyzing the attitude of the philosophers of jurisprudence is of great importance. H. L. A. Hart is considered a prominent contemporary legal thinker and has rendered a set of philosophical views, especially regarding the nature of international law and his approach towards this matter has been largely praised in the west. This article is in a qualitative research nature and through a descriptive-analytical methodology tries to analyze his philosophical theory on the nature of international law. Finally, it has been concluded that Hart has played an important part in proving the existence of international law as a social structure, compared to the rest of legal positivists who often have denied the existence of such a legal system. He ascertained some features of a through legal system for international law as well and has explained some similarities between domestic law and international law as a real (existing) set.