Francisco de Vitoria and the Evolution of International Law: Justifying Injustice

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Francisco de Vitoria and the Evolution of International Law: Justifying Injustice is a reconstruction of the philosophical and legal theories of Fray Francisco de Vitoria, hailed by many as one of the primary founders of international law, and how these served to introduce the theory of an international community in which all nations take part, regardless of religious beliefs. The impact of the conquest of the Americas resulted in a transformation or re-articulation of the Old Worlds preconceived notions of human nature and the rights of people and nations. Due to the need for a more universal principle, the theory of international law began to expand. In order to present a perspective on international law and human rights beyond the scope of the Spanish conquest of the Americas, Vitorias thoughts are compared to those of Hugo Grotius and John Locke, to show how the issues of natural, human, and divine law evolved through time. Their questioning of the right to invade other countries and subdue their inhabitants brought to light the conflictive relationship between colonial expansion and the law of nations and was an essential part of debates among intellectuals, jurists, and theologians in an attempt to find a way to reconcile these two often-contradictory notions.

Reviews

Amaya Amell's authoritative work brilliantly explores the evolution of international law through the lens of the conquest of the Americas as a crucial moment of reassessment of human rights. Students, practitioners, and scholars of international law will find Professor Amell's work particularly compelling because she critically and systematically considers, in part, the highly influential work of renown international law scholar Francisco de Vitoria on divine, natural, and human law, the concepts of Church, nation, state, just war, and human rights, and the legitimizing process involved in the encounter between colonizers and the indigenous people.

Author Bio

Amaya Amell is assistant professor of Spanish at Millersville University.