This work investigates the extent to which the political organs of the United Nations contribute to the formation and evolution of international law. Rosalyn Higgins, a distinguished legal scholar and former President of the International Court of Justice, utilizes her deep expertise in international jurisprudence to analyze the legal significance of resolutions and practices within the UN. She examines the tension between political decision-making and the formal development of legal norms, providing a framework for understanding how institutional actions shape global legal standards.

Legal scholars and practitioners frequently cite this text as a foundational analysis of the intersection between international politics and legal development. Experts highlight the clarity of Higgins's arguments regarding the normative impact of institutional practice within the United Nations system.