Decolonizing International Law: The Impact of Postcolonial Theory on Legal Norm Formation
Keywords:
Postcolonial theory, international law, legal norm formation, decolonization, epistemic justice, Global South, legal pluralismAbstract
This article investigates how postcolonial theory has influenced the formation of legal norms in international law and examines the implications of these theoretical contributions for the legitimacy, inclusivity, and epistemic foundations of global legal governance. Using a scientific narrative review and descriptive analysis method, this study synthesizes academic literature published between 2019 and 2024. Peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly books, and legal commentaries were selected through systematic searches across major academic databases. The analysis is guided by key postcolonial concepts such as subalternity, hybridity, and epistemic violence, with thematic attention to international law’s colonial legacy and contemporary challenges in legal norm formation. The review reveals that international law continues to reflect Eurocentric assumptions rooted in its colonial past. Postcolonial theory challenges these assumptions by exposing structural inequalities in the development and enforcement of legal norms. Case studies such as the New International Economic Order, the Declaration on the Right to Development, and the international recognition of Indigenous rights illustrate how postcolonial actors have shaped normative agendas despite institutional limitations. The analysis also identifies growing demands for epistemic decolonization, South-South legal solidarities, and pluralistic models of norm-building. Postcolonial theory has significantly reshaped the discourse of international law by foregrounding issues of power, voice, and legitimacy. While challenges remain in translating critique into enforceable legal change, the theoretical and normative contributions of postcolonial scholarship have created critical openings for a more inclusive and equitable global legal order.
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