On this view, law is the normative expression of a political system. Louis Henkin has pointed to the parallels between the function of law in domestic societies and the international legal system. Domestic law is a construct of norms, standards, principles, institutions and procedures that serve the purposes of society. It establishes and maintains order; enhances the reliability of expectations; protects persons and their property; promotes welfare of individuals; and furthers other societal values (justice, the good life, the good society). International law is also the product of its "society" and political system; it too is a construct of norms, standards, principles, institutions and procedures. The purposes of international law are thus very similar to those of domestic law. However, the constituency of international society is very different - "persons" in international society are not individuals but political entities, "states" and the society is an inter-state system, a system of states.