Vattel’s Theory of the Social Contract

doi:10.1017/9781108784009.012

9 - Vattel’s Theory of the Social Contract

from Part II - Concepts

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 June 2021

Gabriella Silvestrini

Edited by

Peter Schröder

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Peter Schröder: Affiliation:
University College London

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Summary

At first glance, it seems that the theory of the social contract plays a highly enigmatic role in Vattel’s treatise The Law of Nations. The ‘very act of association’ is undoubtedly a pivotal concept in the Swiss author’s work, for it corresponds to the foundation of the nations, or states, which are the central protagonists of the drama. However, Vattel does not dedicate a chapter or even a paragraph to the theory of the contract, nor does he lay claim to any originality on the subject. This reticence is surprising given the space devoted to it by other authors of the contractarian tradition, such as Grotius, Hobbes, Locke, Pufendorf and Burlamaqui.

Type: Chapter
Information: Concepts and Contexts of Vattel's Political and Legal Thought , pp. 179 - 200

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108784009.012 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2021

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References

Primary Sources

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