Histoire de l'internationalisme

THOMAS HOBIiES
warned and to be forearmed. For the state of commonwealths considcred
in themselves is natural, that is to say hostile. Neither if they cease from
but rather a breathing time,
fiehting, is it therefore to be called peace ;
in which one eneniy observing the motion and countenance of the other
values his security not according to pacts, but the forces and counsels
of his adversary. "
On ne saurait mieux définir les rapports entre les puissances comme
un état permanent de guerre ; les périodes de paix ne sont que de purs
armistices. Et on ne trouve nulle part chez Hobbes une indication révélant
qu'il ait considéré cet état de choses comme anormal ou révoltant.
Par contre il a très bien vu le caractère révoltant de cet état de
choses pour ce qui est des rapports entre individus. Sur ce terrain, à
l'intérieur de l'Etat, il a même indiqué la possibilité et le moyen de
sortir de l'impasse de l'anarchie et de la guerre éternelle :
,, Because the Condition of Man (as lias been declared in the précè-
dent chapter) is a Condition of war of everyone against everyone ; in
which case everyone is governed by his own Reason ; and there is nothing
he can make use of that may not be a help unto him, in preserving his
life af^ainst his Enemies ;
it foUoweth that in such a Condition every Man
has a Right to everything, even to one another's Body. And therefore,
as long as this natural Right of every Man to every Thing endureth
there can be no Security to any Man (how strong and wise soever he be)
of hving out the Time, which Nature ordinarily alloweth Men to live.
And consequently it is a Precept, or gênerai Rule of Reason, that tvery
Man ought to endeavour Peace, as far as he has Hope of obtmning it : and
when he can obtain it ; that he may seek and use ail Advantages of War. The
first Branch of which Rule, containeth the first and fundamental Law
of Nature ; which is, to seek Peace, and follow it. The second, the Sum
of the Right of Nature ; which is, By ail means ive can, to défend ourselves.
From this fundamental Law of Nature by which Men are commanded
to endeavour Peace, is derived the .second Law ;
That a Man be willing,
ivhen others are so too, as far as for Peace and Defence of himself he shall
think it necessary, to lay down this Right to ail Things; and be contended
with so much Liberty againM other Men, as he would allotr other
Men against himself. " '
' Loviathan, Part I, Chap. XIV (1. P.. li. 151—52).
2 — Pulil. df riiial. Xubel nurvégieu. ' '