Anglo‐Spanish Enlightenment: Joseph Shepherd, an English ‘ilustrado' in Valladolid

The extension in the use, its semantic transformation during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and its comparatively scarce interest as a subject of reflection for contemporary writers constitute three features that distinguished and provided with a peculiar history the concept of interest. Only in rare occasions this dominated the centre of discourse over that period. Notwithstanding this minor position, the concept of interest proved to be a key lexical tool in the efforts to redefine both the idea of social and political community and the nature of links that help maintain this community united.Key WordsInterest, Spanish Enlightenment, history of concepts, liberalism, common good.ResumenLa extensión en el uso, su transformación semántica entre finales del siglo XVIII y comienzos del XIX y su comparativamente escasa atracción como objeto de estudio en los autores coetáneos constituyen tres rasgos que singularizan y dotan de una historia peculiar al concepto de interés. Solo en raras ocasiones este se erigió en centro del discurso en el citado período. A pesar de esa posición secundaria, dicho concepto fue un instrumento léxico clave en los esfuerzos de reformulación tanto de la idea de comunidad social y política como de la naturaleza de los vínculos que mantienen unida de dicha comunidad.Palabras claveInterés, Ilustración española, historia de los conceptos, liberalismo, bien común.

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The History of Fair Trade: Hugo Grotius, Corporations, and the Spanish Enlightenment

Grotiana ◽

10.1163/18760759-42010008 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 137-159

Author(s):

Edward Jones Corredera

Keyword(s):

Fair Trade ◽

Balance Of Power ◽

Northern Europe ◽

Distribution Of Wealth ◽

The Enlightenment ◽

Perpetual Peace ◽

Hugo Grotius ◽

History Of ◽

Peace In Europe ◽

Spanish Enlightenment

Abstract The early Spanish Enlightenment was shaped by debates over corporations, sovereignty, and the balance of power in Europe. Spanish officials, in this context, turned to the ideas of Hugo Grotius to establish joint-stock companies that could allow the Crown to regain control over its imperial domains and establish perpetual peace in Europe. This article recovers the writings of Félix Fernando de Sotomayor, Duke of Sotomayor (1684–1767), who drew on the works of Grotius, Samuel Pufendorf, and Charles Dutot in order to show that the history of these corporations chronicled the contestation and erosion of Spanish power and the diversion of European states from their true interests. Sovereigns, not merchants, argued Sotomayor, could guarantee fair trade and the equitable distribution of wealth. The study of Sotomayor’s views on trade, natural law, and alienation challenges traditional interpretations about the Iberian engagement with Grotius, the rise of capitalist hopes in Southern and Northern Europe, and Spain’s investment in the Enlightenment.

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