It is a commonplace observation that the world arena today exhibits a number of systems of public order, each demanding and embodying the values of human dignity in very different degree.

There are some who say that adjudication has no role to play in the settlement of disputes over the uses of waters of international rivers. One author writes:

Well over one hundred treaties which have governed or today govern water uses in international drainage basins have been entered into all over the world. These treaties, and the negotiations leading to them, indicate that there are principles limiting the power of states to use such waters without regard to injurious effects on co-riparians.

It appears at first sight almost incredible that a secret ballot under the majority rule could result in more candidates mustering the required majority of votes than there are places to be filled. But this actually happened four times in the Security Council during the election of judges to the International Court of Justice.