Reconstructing Law and Justice in a Postcolony (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780754647843)

Drawing on data from a cross-section of postcolonial nations across the world and on a detailed case-study of Nigeria, this book examines the experience of recreating law and justice in postcolonial societies. The author's definition of postcolonial societies includes countries that have emerged from external colonial rule, such as Nigeria and India as well as societies that have overcome internal dominations, such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Suggesting that restructuring a system of law and justice must involve a consideration of the traditions, customs and native laws of a society as well as the official, often foreign rules, this volume examines how ethnically complex nations resolve disputes, whether criminal or civil, through a combination of formal and informal social control systems. This book is unique in its concern with how the average citizens of a postcolonial society can play more active parts in their nation's law and justice, and how modern and increasingly urban societies can learn from indigenous peoples and institutions, which are more informal in their approaches to problem-solving. The concluding chapter looks at the possibility of an increased role for civil as opposed to criminal response in the social control system of a postcolonial society.

Author: Nonso Okafo
ISBN-10: 0754647846
ISBN-13: 9780754647843
Publisher: Routledge
Language: English
Published: 10/21/2009
Pages: 266
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.22lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.63d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 02/01/2010 pg. 180