This work focuses upon the problem of indigenous spoliation in the developing countries. Unlike the traditional scholarship, which is concerned with the exploitation of the natural wealth of developing countries by transnational corporations, this work explores the controversial issue of spoliation by national officials of the wealth of the states of which they are temporary custodians. Due to constraints of the state system and the lack of appropriate substantive municipal law, efforts to punish those responsible for the economic rape of entire nations and to recover spoliated funds have been frustrated and rendered insubstantial.;The challenge which the author attempts to answer is twofold. By using a multidisciplinary approach - and on the basis of data generated from empirical, cross-national research - he first makes the case for indigenous spoliation as a violation of international law. Then he attempts to articulate a coherent, internally consistent international legal standard for evaluating this type of international crime.;This volume is aimed at academics and practitioners, especially lawyers. It forms the second volume of the ""International Economic Development Law Series"", which focuses upon the enormous developmental challenges which exist worldwide for both the public and private sectors.