Is International Law an European Construct?

Essay from the year 2019 in the subject Law - European and International Law, Intellectual Properties, University of Cape Coast (CENTRE FOR AFRICAN AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES), course: Africa and International Law, language: English, abstract: The aim of this work is to discuss the view that international law is an European construct, which has no positive benefits for African countries, and as such, the future of international law is one of irrelevance.

The work is divided into three sections. Firstly, the concept of international law, the nature and the sources of international law will be defined. Then the relevance of international law especially to African countries will be discussed. Afterwards three of the loopholes in international law that makes it an European construct will be evaluated. The work concludes with an equitable application of international law on the international scene. The thesis of this work is that international law is without doubt an European construct. It has functioned as a crucial tool to spread European principles during the colonial and post-independence era to the rest of the world while at the same time affirming a universal tone.