What does a nation owe to itself?

Translation: quotations from Emer de Vattel are quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852), not his original words.

OCR: 11 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852)): Emer de Vattel believed that a nation owes itself the preservation of its people's lives and well-being, and that when a sovereign acts in a manner that threatens these, the people have a right to resist. This is grounded in the natural right of self-preservation and the purpose of entering into society for safety. [1]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852)): Emer de Vattel believed that a nation owes itself to labor in concert for the common happiness of all, and that the sovereign must use his authority for the safety of the people, not their ruin, based on the essential end of civil society. "Is it not to labour in concert for the common happiness of all ? ... it is necessarily with the tacit reserve that the sovereign shall use it for the safety of the people, and not for their ruin." [2]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852)): Emer de Vattel believed that a nation owes to itself to act according to its nature, to preserve and perfect itself, to preserve its members, to avoid anything that might occasion its destruction, and to know itself. [3]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852)): Emer de Vattel believed that a nation owes to itself the preservation of its self, its perfection, and its happiness, and has a right to prevent other nations from obstructing these. This is grounded in the natural duty of self-preservation and the moral power to act in accordance with duties. "Every nation, as well as every man, has, therefore, a right to prevent other nations from obstructing her preservation, her perfection, and happiness, — that is, to preserve herself from all injuries." [4]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852)): Emer de Vattel believed that a nation owes to itself to live in a manner conformable to its nature, and to act in conformity with its essential attributes. He argues that this is the general and fundamental rule of a nation's duties towards itself. [5]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852)): Emer de Vattel believes that a nation has a just claim to all the rights arising from a war taken up for the cause of the state and nation. He argues that if a sovereign embarks in a war for personal interests, the nation should be at liberty to choose whether to engage in it or not. The nation, therefore, has a just claim to all the rights to which such war gives birth. "The nation, therefore, has a just claim to all the rights to which such war gives birth." [6]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852)): A nation owes it to itself to procure its own happiness by instructing its people, educating youth, fostering arts and sciences, allowing freedom of philosophical discussion, inspiring love of virtue and hatred of vice, perfecting its understanding and will, directing knowledge of citizens to its welfare, and inspiring love of country in each individual. [7]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852)): A nation owes to itself the duty of promoting its own perfection and that of its state, as this is necessary for attaining the end of civil society. This is grounded on both natural obligations and reciprocal engagements within the society. (key quote above) [8]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852)): A nation owes to itself to fortify itself against external attacks, as this is a third object of good government. This is necessary for defending itself with combined strength against external insult or violence, and for being able to repel and humble an unjust enemy. [9]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing; quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852)): Emer de Vattel believed that a nation owes to itself the preservation and perfection of its political association, with the end of civil society being to procure for its citizens the necessities, conveniences, and happiness of life, including the peaceful possession of property, justice, and mutual defense against external violence. [10]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [1], [2], [3], [4].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Emer de Vattel believed that a nation must act in a manner conformable to its nature and essential attributes, as this is the general and fundamental rule of a nation's duties towards itself. "A nation is a being determined by its essential attributes, that has its own nature, and can act in conformity to it." [5] (quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852))

2. He argued that a nation must promote its own perfection and that of its state, as this is necessary for attaining the end of civil society. (key quote above) [8] (quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852))

3. Emer de Vattel believed that a nation must fortify itself against external attacks, as this is a third object of good government. CHAP. XIV. THE THIRD OBJECT OF A GOOD GOVERNMENT, — TO FORTIFY ITSELF AGAINST EXTERNAL ATTACKS. § 177. A nation ought to fortify itself against external attacks, as this is a third object of good government. [9]

4. He believed that a nation must preserve and perfect its political association, with the end of civil society being to procure for its citizens the necessities, conveniences, and happiness of life. The end or object of civil society is to procure for the citizens whatever they stand in need of for the necessities, the conveniences, the accommodation of life, and, in general, whatever constitutes happiness, — with the peaceful possession of property, a method of obtaining justice with security, and, finally, a mutual defence against all external violence. [10]

5. Emer de Vattel believed that a nation must choose the best constitution possible and that most suitable to its circumstances, as this is the most important concern and first and most essential duty of a nation forming a political society. "the most important concern of a nation that forms a political society, and its first and most essential duty towards itself, is to choose the best constitution possible, and that most suita-ble to its circumstances." [11] (quoted in the anonymous 1760 English translation (revised 1797; Chitty edition, 1852))

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Extrapolation: Emer de Vattel believed that a nation owes to itself a wide range of duties, including the preservation of its people, the promotion of its perfection, the fortification against external attacks, and the selection of a suitable constitution. These duties are grounded in the natural right of self-preservation and the purpose of entering into society for the common good.

Competing readings: The record supports the reading that a nation must act in accordance with its nature and essential attributes, and that it must promote its own perfection and that of its state. The record also supports the reading that a nation must fortify itself against external attacks and choose the best constitution possible. These readings are supported by the text and do not conflict with each other.

Confidence: High, as the record provides direct and detailed statements on the duties of a nation towards itself.