Article #12
Imperialistic attitudes within
international crime and justice
Imperialistic attitudes
within international
crime and justice
Abstract
Direct colonial dominance no longer exists, we now live in a world
where imperialism manifests itself in alternate forms such as
dominance relations, thus making it concealed yet inherent to our
society (Galtung, 1971). This essay aims to explore how imperialism
is structural within the context of international crime and justice.
Imperialism is also structural within the context of foreign policies
allowing social and political control across borders. A critique of
the selective nature of the International Criminal Courts will be
included. Throughout the paper the terms “Centre” and “Periphery”
nations are used to explain the power dynamic globally. Inequality
within international justice must be understood in the light of
transnational state systems established after the war period
whereby the basis of international law was formed.
Author: Pooja Raval
Keywords: International
criminal court,
imperialism, United
Nation Security Council,
war crimes
Keywords: International Criminal Court, Imperialism, United Nation
Security Council, War crimes
Introduction
The paper aims to explore the delivery of justice regarding
international crimes. International crimes constitute of a violation
of an agreement or treaty that state parties have agreed to; or
crimes punishable against international law. It could be argued
that countries within the Global North are able to exercise
political power through multilateral treaties and intergovernmental
organisations which act as a medium whereby this influence can
flow. A substantial portion of the article will include a critique of
the International Criminal Court (ICC) in assessing to what extent
the ICC allows officials from powerful counties exemption from
punishment.
During the post war period global governance became complex
including regional and worldwide alliances being established. A
prerequisite to these imperialistic attitudes includes the weakening
of the powerful nations during this time causing the decolonization
of third world countries. Instead international legal organisations
were established during this period and provided an alternate
mechanism of control.
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