Political Consent, Promissory Fidelity and Rights Transfers in Grotius

Details

Ressource 1Download: ACCEPTEDPolitical consent, promissory fidelity and right transfers in Grotius.pdf (577.70 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: author
License: Not specified
Serval ID
serval:BIB_F8DE0D443BA0
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Political Consent, Promissory Fidelity and Rights Transfers in Grotius
Journal
Grotiana
Author(s)
Ramelet Laetitia
ISSN
0167-3831
1876-0759
Publication state
Published
Issued date
12/12/2019
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
40
Number
1
Pages
123-145
Language
english
Abstract
Grotius (1583–1645) is now widely acknowledged as an important figure in early modern contractual and consensual theories of political authority and legitimacy. However, as his thoughts on these debates are disseminated throughout his works rather than systematically ordained, it remains difficult to assess what, if anything, constitutes his distinctive mark. In the present paper, I will argue that his works contain a combination of two conceptual elements that have come to constitute a salient characteristic of early modern contract and consent theories: first, a strong obligation to keep one’s promises, and second, an account of perfect promises as transferrals of rights. In the political sphere, this means that citizens who have promised their obedience to the authorities are obligated to keep faith, which provides a solid foundation for political obligations. In addition, their promise implies that authorities receive the right to rule over them, which accounts for the legitimacy of these authorities’ power.
Keywords
Law, History
Create date
19/12/2019 9:43
Last modification date
20/06/2020 6:10
Usage data