LEGITIMACY OF USING FORCE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

States have the obligation to look for methods that do not involve resorting to force to resolve disputes, being forced at the same time to refrain from resorting to the threat of force, but also to cooperate to ensure a stable global security environment. The use of armed force, however, remains a monopoly of states, so that only they can resort to legitimate coercion against acts of armed violence affecting national or international security. The only way that individuals have to use the armed force in the state legal order is legitimate defense, justifiable cause provided by the criminal law, exonerating liability.