In and Out: Robinson Crusoe's Political Choice on the Island

Abstract

Abstract: Based on Natural Law, Crusoe sets up an absolute monarchy on the occupied island, though with different attitudes towards different persons accordingly. To safeguard his absolute monarchy, Crusoe adopts Machiavellian reason of state, i. e., arms, policy, and religion, which is also based on natural law, in ruling the islanders. When Crusoe leaves the island, all the islanders are in the state of nature, equal to each other. As a result, a democratic system based on the islanders' consent is set up with the Spanish captain as the governor. Crusoe's final abandonment of the island for his trade in places like China shows that he is more inclined to a democratic system based on equality and free trade. As a result, Crusoe criticizes China's closed-door policy and despotic government.

Key words: Robinson Crusoe, natural law, reason of state

Chen Xijun. In and Out: Robinson Crusoe's Political Choice on the Island[J]. Foreign Literature Studies, 2017, 39(4): 80-91.

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