That is a really interesting question Kathy.

In fact I would direct your admirable desire to learn and understand, to the book which I mentioned earlier. Because the author (who is a historian) delves into photographic records, museum artefacts and testimonials to show how the structres of international law were created and reflect what she terms, 'imperial structures', of thought and practice. To quote a somewhat abstract statement from p264 of 'Potential History',

'International law was codified and standardised to endorse these concepts and structures as incarnations of transcendental political categories, culminating with the creation of the UN as an apparatus that continues imperial violence within the realm of law and order'.

Read within the context of the pages of example she finds, including pictures and various kinds of records, the abstractness of the sentence is easier to follow. From the description at the back of the book,'

'Including over one hundred images, Potential History argues that it is by collectively caring for our shared world that we can make the potential for freedom visible'.

But one of the most moving things in teh book is the author's description of her family and childhood in Israel. I thought that was particularly brave of her!