nonintervention

Nonintervention is a principle in international relations and international law whereby states refrain from interfering in the internal or external affairs of other states without consent, authorization, or a legal obligation. It is closely tied to the ideas of sovereignty and territorial integrity and is often contrasted with interventionism or humanitarian intervention.

Legal basis and scope reside in both customary international practice and formal instruments. The principle is rooted in Westphalian notions of state sovereignty and is reflected in Article 2(7) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits states from interfering in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of another state. Exceptions exist for actions authorized by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII or for measures taken with the consent of the state concerned. Bilateral agreements and customary law further shape the boundaries of nonintervention, though real-world practice has varied across contexts and periods.

Historical practice has seen nonintervention invoked during regional alignments, decolonization, and during certain phases of the Cold War, when great powers claimed restraint while pursuing strategic interests. In many cases, nonintervention has been used to justify noninvolvement in civil conflicts or internal political disputes, even as conflicts persisted or external actors sought influence.

Contemporary debates center on the tension between sovereignty and humanitarian protection. Proponents emphasize stability, legitimacy, and noncoercion in international relations. Critics argue that strict nonintervention can enable abuses by regimes and hinder responses to mass atrocities, contributing to ongoing discussions about humanitarian intervention and the evolving norm of responsibility to protect.