Grotius Reader

A reference tool that provides an overview of the history of Christian political thought with selections from second century to the seventeenth century. From the second century to the seventeenth, from Irenaeus to Grotius, this unique reader provides a coherent overview of the development of Christian political thought. The editors have collected readings from the works of over sixty-five authors, together with introductory essays that give historical details about each thinker and discuss how each has contributed to the tradition of Christian political thought. Complete with important Greek and Latin texts available here in English for the first time, this volume will be a primary resource for readers from a wide range of interests.

While the works of Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) have long been held in high esteem by international lawyers, this book addresses the broader, and neglected, theme of his contribution to the theoretical and practical aspects of international relations. It critically reappraises Grotius' thought, examining it in relation to his predecessors and in the context of the wars and controversies of his time, and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the `Grotian' tradition of thought - one which accepts the sovereignty of states but at the same time stresses the existence of shared values and the necessity of rules.

Sixteen essays discuss De iure praedae – Hugo Grotius’s 1604-1605 commentary on booty –, its sources, circumstances and consequences, and explore how Grotius the humanist, the theologian, the jurist and the politician concur in this his first exercise in natural law and rights.

Grotius’ Remonstrantie, being his recommendations to the States of Holland on the subject of the admission of the Jews in the Dutch Republic, offers insight in the political and religious constraints and in Grotius’ carefully crafted line of thought and reasoning.

Despite its significant influence on international law, international relations, natural law and political thought in general, Grotius's Law of War and Peace has been virtually unavailable for many decades. Stephen Neff's edited and annotated version of the text rectifies this situation. Containing the substantive portion of the classic text, but shorn of extraneous material, this edited and annotated edition of one of the classic works of Western legal and political thought is intended for students and teachers in four primary areas: history of international law, history of political thought, history of international relations and history of philosophy.