Dissertation:
Savagery, Intervention, and the Creation of International Law: Vitoria, Grotius, and Hobbes on the “New World”
My dissertation explores the emergence of modern international law as articulated in the works of Vitoria, Grotius, and Hobbes – all recognized as foundational figures in the field of international law. I investigate how these thinkers grappled with the conceptual development and practical application of international ethics, norms, and laws. A primary focus of my research is to analyze how practices of cannibalism and human sacrifice, integral to the European representation of the “New World,” influenced these thinkers. The practices played a critical role in shaping their understanding of the rights of non-Europeans and the rationale for European intervention in the affairs of indigenous societies. My project ultimately illuminates the dualistic nature of modern international law, revealing both its potential for promoting rights, self-determination, and equality, as well as its colonial legacy, which often normatively permits intervention by powerful states.
Working Papers:
“Individualizing Punishment: Grotius on the Sacrifice of the Innocent.” Revise and Resubmit at Journal of International Political Theory.
“Hobbes the Critic of Empire? Hobbes on Cannibalism in the New World.” Scheduled for publication in Explorations in Renaissance Culture, Spring 2025. Invited submission for a special issue on Hobbes.
“Vitoria on the Law of Nations: Theological Origins of Justifying International Humanitarian Intervention.” In Progress.
“Challenging Grotius: The Evolution of Maritime Sovereignty from the Dutch Empire to Indonesian Independence.” In Progress.
Presentations:
“Challenging Grotius: The Evolution of Maritime Sovereignty from the Dutch Empire to Indonesian Independence.”
Arguing over Empire: Hugo Grotius, European Expansionism and Slavery Workshop, June 2024
“Hobbes the Critic of Empire? Hobbes on Cannibalism in the New World.”
Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, April 2024
The Renaissance Society of America Conference, March 2024
“Individualizing Punishment: Grotius on the Sacrifice of the Innocent.”
UW-Madison Political Theory Workshop, November 2022
Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, April 2021
“Vitoria on the Law of Nations: Theological Origins of Justifying International Humanitarian Intervention.”
Midwest Political Science Association, April 2020 (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
Graduate Early Modern Student Society Symposium, UW-Madison, April 2019
Savagery, Intervention, and the Creation of International Law: Vitoria, Grotius, and Hobbes on the “New World”
My dissertation explores the emergence of modern international law as articulated in the works of Vitoria, Grotius, and Hobbes – all recognized as foundational figures in the field of international law. I investigate how these thinkers grappled with the conceptual development and practical application of international ethics, norms, and laws. A primary focus of my research is to analyze how practices of cannibalism and human sacrifice, integral to the European representation of the “New World,” influenced these thinkers. The practices played a critical role in shaping their understanding of the rights of non-Europeans and the rationale for European intervention in the affairs of indigenous societies. My project ultimately illuminates the dualistic nature of modern international law, revealing both its potential for promoting rights, self-determination, and equality, as well as its colonial legacy, which often normatively permits intervention by powerful states.
Working Papers:
“Individualizing Punishment: Grotius on the Sacrifice of the Innocent.” Revise and Resubmit at Journal of International Political Theory.
“Hobbes the Critic of Empire? Hobbes on Cannibalism in the New World.” Scheduled for publication in Explorations in Renaissance Culture, Spring 2025. Invited submission for a special issue on Hobbes.
“Vitoria on the Law of Nations: Theological Origins of Justifying International Humanitarian Intervention.” In Progress.
“Challenging Grotius: The Evolution of Maritime Sovereignty from the Dutch Empire to Indonesian Independence.” In Progress.
Presentations:
“Challenging Grotius: The Evolution of Maritime Sovereignty from the Dutch Empire to Indonesian Independence.”
Arguing over Empire: Hugo Grotius, European Expansionism and Slavery Workshop, June 2024
“Hobbes the Critic of Empire? Hobbes on Cannibalism in the New World.”
Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, April 2024
The Renaissance Society of America Conference, March 2024
“Individualizing Punishment: Grotius on the Sacrifice of the Innocent.”
UW-Madison Political Theory Workshop, November 2022
Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, April 2021
“Vitoria on the Law of Nations: Theological Origins of Justifying International Humanitarian Intervention.”
Midwest Political Science Association, April 2020 (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
Graduate Early Modern Student Society Symposium, UW-Madison, April 2019
