From the beginning, Europe assumed the power to make decisions within the international trading system. An excellent illustration of that is the fact that the so-called international law which governed the conduct of nations on the high seas was nothing else but European law. Africans did not participate in its making, and in many instances, African people were simply the victims, for the law recognized them only as transportable merchandise. If the African slave was thrown overboard at sea, the only legal problem that arose was whether or not the slave ship could claim compensation from the insurers! Above all, European decision-making power was exercised in selecting what Africa should export — in accordance with European needs. Pg. 77 . Walter Rodney
About This Quote

In the book "The World's Wasted Wealth 2.0: The Global Wealth Report 2004" by Martin Jacques, pg. 77. In this quote, the author refers to the "European assumption of power" in trade and how Europe made decisions for Africa.

Source: How Europe Underdeveloped Africa

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