Power of Language in the Making of International Law The Word Sovereignty in Bodin and Vattel and the Myth of Westphalia

The purpose of this book is to enter into the history of the mental-social phenomena that are the word "sovereignty and the myth of "Westphalia. Given the circularity of language, the project proposes to examine the reality-creating role of language, as an organic instrument of social power within humanity.In semiotic terms, the complex structures of words and also myths form part of sign-systems in which they can both "represent and "create reality. These are the "passive and "active functions of language, which explain that words and myths not only represent and describe reality but may also play a leading part in creating and transforming reality, thus demonstrating and being used to carry fabulous power within humanity.The "Peace of Westphalia is analysed to show that, in spite of what actually took place in 1648, "Westphalia has had an incredible social effect in international law, standing for the proposition that it signalled the beginning of a new era based on state sovereignty. However, it is argued that "Westphalia constitutes a myth, an aetiological myth, which has provided a way for society to explain itself to itself, that is, a way for international society to explain its genesis to itself.As regards "sovereignty, it is shown that Jean Bodin introduced the word in "Six Livres for the purpose of having the French ruler enjoy supreme power in the "hierarchical organisation structure of society.This is the original creative and transforming social effect on the shared consciousness of humanity for which the linguistic sign must be credited, which has continued, unaltered, to this day.With respect to "Droit des Gens, it is demonstrated that Emer de Vattel utilised andactually changed the reality associated with "sovereignty also for a specific reason, namely, to carry out its "externalisation -- the ruling entity was now to enjoy exclusive power to govern, which entailed being the sole repreBeaulac, Stephane is the author of 'Power of Language in the Making of International Law The Word Sovereignty in Bodin and Vattel and the Myth of Westphalia', published 2004 under ISBN 9789004136984 and ISBN 9004136983.