conventies

Conventions refer to agreements or accepted practices that shape behavior in different domains. In international law, a convention is a formal agreement between states or international organizations. Such conventions create legally binding obligations for their parties, may require ratification, and enter into force after specified conditions are met. Examples include the Geneva Conventions governing the conduct of war and humanitarian protection, the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, and regional conventions like the European Convention on Human Rights. In some cases, conventions evolve from custom and are supplemented by written treaties, in which case they may become part of customary international law.

In political contexts, a convention can be a formal gathering, such as a party convention where delegates nominate a candidate or adopt a platform, or a constitutional convention that writes or revises fundamental rules of a state. In social and organizational contexts, conventions are widely accepted norms or standard practices—etiquette, terminology, and formatting rules—used to coordinate behavior within a community or field. For example, punctuation conventions in English or file-naming conventions in computing.

Conventions are distinguished from hard law by their origins and enforceability, though many conventions gain binding force through ratification, customary practice, or organizational rules. They provide predictability, facilitate cooperation, and adapt over time as practices change.