"Europe against hegemony": international law in diplomatic practice, 1713-1739

By encoding diplomatic correspondence (as a measure of state behaviour) according to the references to the prevailing law and global international system, we can demonstrate the conformity between state behavior and principles of international law states claim to guide their actions. Over time we can assess the impact of these norms on state behavior.Taken together, these elements allow for an interpretation of European international relations during 1713-1739 as well as a comparison with other (historical) periods. In a multipolar environment, states are bound to integrate law in their legitimating discourses, in order to convince the other players of the well-foundedness of their own views.By encoding diplomatic correspondence (as a measure of state behaviour) according to the references to the prevailing law and global international system, we can demonstrate the conformity between state behavior and principles of international law states claim to guide their actions. Over time we can assess the impact of these norms on state behavior.Taken together, these elements allow for an interpretation of European international relations during 1713-1739 as well as a comparison with other (historical) periods. In a multipolar environment, states are bound to integrate law in their legitimating discourses, in order to convince the other players of the well-foundedness of their own views.C