Abstract

This essay deals with Leibniz's concept of international law. It will be argued that while, on the one hand, there is a difference between Leibniz's position and that of Thomas Hobbes, on the other hand, the Leibnizian approach to the problem has also to be distinguished from Kant's later reflection on international law. This essay explores to what extent Leibniz' thought on international law is based on his concept of natural law. Moreover, it will be shown that the metaphor of "balance", which is central to the understanding of the political structure of the German empire, and of the idea of Europe as a "unity in the multiplicity", is of decisive importance for interpreting Leibniz's position on the problem of international law