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Emer De Vattel

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Philosopher

The Resume

    (April 25, 1714-December 28, 1767)
    Born in Couvet, Neuchatel, Switzerland
    Swiss philosopher, diplomat, and author
    Author of 'The Law of the Nations' (1758)

Why he might be annoying:

    The full title of his most famous work is translated in English as 'The Law of Nations or the Principles of Natural Law Applied to the Conduct and to the Affairs of Nations and of Sovereigns.'
    His book argues against birthright citizenship (juris soli) saying 'The natives, or natural-born citizens, are those born in the country of parents who are citizens.'
    That line has been used has been used by US Supreme Court justice Peter Vivian Daniel to justify the abominable 'Dred Scott' decision.
    It was also quoted by Chief Justice Melville Weston Fuller in his dissenting opinion in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (a Supreme Court case that validated birthright citizenship via the Fourteenth Amendment).
    Some modern politicians want to use that line of thinking to overturn 'US vs. Wong Kim Ark' or repeal the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in order to curb illegal immigration.

Why he might not be annoying:

    His works have also provided the basis of the 'Just War Theory' and the international laws of the Geneva Conventions.
    Some copies of 'The Laws of Nations' were given to Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.
    He was influential on many European philosophers such as Hugo Grotius and Christian Wolff.
    He was appointed as a councilor to the court of King Augustus III of Saxony.

Credit: Birdienest81


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying