Honors Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Capstone/Thesis
Faculty Advisor
Director: Dr. Aaron Szymkowiak; Readers: Dr. Timothy Quinn, Dr. Steven Frankel; Course Director: Dr. Shannon Hogue
Date
2015-4
Abstract
This paper will focus on international commerce. How should the state reconcile its own interests with international obligations? Two philosophers, Emer de Vattel of Switzerland and Thomas Hobbes of England provide two possible solutions. These two philosophers, though both belonging to the enlightenment era of western philosophy, write at opposite ends of the movement – Hobbes at its inception, and Vattel at its conclusion. Whereas the latter would be far more amenable to free trade and open borders, the former would be more skeptical and more willing to limit trade for the sake of the commonwealth. This paper will work to examine each philosopher; in regards to Hobbes, a genealogical approach shall be taken – working from the sociability of man, to the creation of the polity, and finally to the international realm and commerce. In regards to Vattel, his concept of cosmopolis and moral agency – both of which inform his international policy – will be examined. Finally, this paper will conclude with an analysis of each philosopher in relation to each other
Recommended Citation
Martir, Juan, "The Natural Laws of Global Trade: Hobbes and Vattel on International Commerce" (2015). Honors Bachelor of Arts. 8.
https://www.exhibit.xavier.edu/hab/8
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
