Ere Nokkala, Dr.
Political Science / Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy
E-mail: ere.nokkala@iue.it
Johann Heinrich Gottlob von Justi’s Conception of International Relations
Ere Nokkala’s study concerns the eighteenth-century German cameralist J.H.G von Justi’s (1717–1771) views on the law of nations and international relations in general. Justi opposed the balance of power views which dominated the thinking within the ‘Westphalian’ order. Justi’s role as a theorist of international relations is peculiar. His significance as the first extensive critic of the balance of power theory has been well documented. However, there do not exist any extensive studies of Justi from this perspective.
Nokkala’s aim is to carry out precisely this type of study. His research method is based on the study of conceptual history. The key concepts (i.e. state, universal monarchy) and metaphors (i.e. state machine, state body) used by Justi will be examined more closely within the framework of various discourses.
Nokkala’s interest in Justi is based on the fact that the discourses of natural law and cameralism converge in his writings. The discourse of the law of nations should also be added to this list. Justi’s work lies at the crossroads of these three discourses. The supervisors of the study are Martin van Gelderen (European University Institute, Florence) and Hans Erich Bödeker (Max-Planck-Institut für Geschichte, Göttingen).