LCP4801
Assignment 2 Semester 2 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: September 2025
QUESTION 1
1.1 What does the acronym TWAIL stand for?
TWAIL stands for Third World Approaches to International Law. It is a scholarly and activist
movement that challenges the dominant structures and ideologies of international law,
particularly its historical role in maintaining imperial and colonial hierarchies. The acronym
reflects a critical lens through which international legal systems are examined, especially as
they affect countries of the Global South.1
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
QUESTION 1
1.1 What does the acronym TWAIL stand for?
TWAIL stands for Third World Approaches to International Law. It is a scholarly and
activist movement that challenges the dominant structures and ideologies of
international law, particularly its historical role in maintaining imperial and colonial
hierarchies. The acronym reflects a critical lens through which international legal
systems are examined, especially as they affect countries of the Global South.1
1.2 What informed the development of the TWAIL movement?
The development of TWAIL was informed by a reaction against the perceived
imperial legacy of international law. Scholars and thinkers from the Global South
argued that while international law claimed to promote universal norms and equality
among states, it in fact originated largely from European legal traditions and political
experiences. This led to the marginalisation of non-Western legal systems and
traditions.2 The TWAIL movement emerged in response to the formal equality
granted to newly independent states after decolonisation, which failed to address
substantive inequality in global governance, economic dependency, and political
sovereignty.3 TWAIL scholars also highlight the continued domination of developing
states through structures such as the veto power of permanent UN Security Council
members, the interventionist policies of Bretton Woods institutions, and the
unchecked influence of multinational corporations in the Global South.4
1.3 What are the objectives of TWAIL
The TWAIL movement seeks to:
Expose and challenge the legacy of colonialism and imperialism in
international law;
1
H Strydom et al, International Law, 3rd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2025) 52 .
2
University of South Africa, International Law: Only Study Guide for LCP4801 (2025) 47.
3
H Strydom et al, International Law, 3rd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2025) 47–48.
4
University of South Africa, International Law: Only Study Guide for LCP4801 (2025) 48. Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 2 Semester 2 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: September 2025
QUESTION 1
1.1 What does the acronym TWAIL stand for?
TWAIL stands for Third World Approaches to International Law. It is a scholarly and activist
movement that challenges the dominant structures and ideologies of international law,
particularly its historical role in maintaining imperial and colonial hierarchies. The acronym
reflects a critical lens through which international legal systems are examined, especially as
they affect countries of the Global South.1
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
QUESTION 1
1.1 What does the acronym TWAIL stand for?
TWAIL stands for Third World Approaches to International Law. It is a scholarly and
activist movement that challenges the dominant structures and ideologies of
international law, particularly its historical role in maintaining imperial and colonial
hierarchies. The acronym reflects a critical lens through which international legal
systems are examined, especially as they affect countries of the Global South.1
1.2 What informed the development of the TWAIL movement?
The development of TWAIL was informed by a reaction against the perceived
imperial legacy of international law. Scholars and thinkers from the Global South
argued that while international law claimed to promote universal norms and equality
among states, it in fact originated largely from European legal traditions and political
experiences. This led to the marginalisation of non-Western legal systems and
traditions.2 The TWAIL movement emerged in response to the formal equality
granted to newly independent states after decolonisation, which failed to address
substantive inequality in global governance, economic dependency, and political
sovereignty.3 TWAIL scholars also highlight the continued domination of developing
states through structures such as the veto power of permanent UN Security Council
members, the interventionist policies of Bretton Woods institutions, and the
unchecked influence of multinational corporations in the Global South.4
1.3 What are the objectives of TWAIL
The TWAIL movement seeks to:
Expose and challenge the legacy of colonialism and imperialism in
international law;
1
H Strydom et al, International Law, 3rd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2025) 52 .
2
University of South Africa, International Law: Only Study Guide for LCP4801 (2025) 47.
3
H Strydom et al, International Law, 3rd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2025) 47–48.
4
University of South Africa, International Law: Only Study Guide for LCP4801 (2025) 48. Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
