From a macro perspective, the emergence and development of international economic law has gone through three stages: germination, development and transition.

Historical background: that establishment and change of the international economic ord depend on the comparison of economic, political and military forces among international member. The ruling classes in various countries establish their own order for their own interests, making this order a binding and mandatory legal norm. Order is content and law is form; Order is the end, and law is the means.

Realistic motivation: in the long-term international economic exchanges and cooperation, countries, legal persons and individuals have gradually formed the international economic order in various historical periods through repeated struggles and compromises. At the same time, on the basis of mutual compromise, struggle and cooperation, the ruling classes of various countries have gradually formed a binding international economic code of conduct to maintain this order, that is, international economic law.