Thomas Hobbes naturtilstand og internasjonale relasjoner: Tolkninger av konflikten i Ukraina ; Thomas Hobbes’ State of Nature and International Relations: Interpreting the Conflict in Ukraine

Is the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes still relevant in the study of international relations, and, if so, why and how? While the classical, often labeled «realist» interpretation of Thomas Hobbes’ state of nature is a state of war, there are other ways to interpret it. Guilio Gallarotti and Michael C. Williams present us with two interpretations in which they argue that there are alternative ways of using Hobbes’ state of nature to understand international relations. I will examine the conflict between Russia and Ukraine with the help of Gallarotti and Williams and try to understand how the conflict has evolved and thus if Hobbes’ philosophy is still relevant in modern international relations. I start with a description of Hobbes state of nature and the laws of nature before I introduce three interpretations that can be used on international relations from the philosophy of Hobbes. All are based on Hobbes’ state of nature. First the classical, realist interpretation that the state of nature is a state of war where right is might. I choose to call this the classical Hobbesian interpretation. Secondly, Williams' interpretation that uncertainty among the individuals in the state of nature prevents the individuals from assaulting one another. Thirdly, I will discuss Gallarotti who believes that the state of nature is a place of cooperation. Those who do not cooperate are excluded from further participation. I will apply these interpretations on the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in order to figure out if they can be used to broaden the understanding of the conflict. My conclusion is that Hobbes’ philosophy is still relevant to the study of international relations because Hobbes' state of nature gives us a broad understanding of international relations. There are different ways to understand the conflict in Ukraine depending on the different interpretations and how we apply them. Using right is might we come to the conclusion that Russia had the right to take Crimea because they had the power to take it. ...