In modern times it is useless to the people. He refers to the war between France and England from 1755 to 1763. The struggle betwixt prejudice and humanity produced in conduct a result truly ridiculous. Prejudice prescribed an attack upon the enemy in his own territory,-humanity forbade the doing him any harm. Not only nothing was gained by these expeditions, but the mischief done to the country invaded was not nearly equal to the expense of the invasion.
Trade is always advantageous to both parties, but war is ruinous.
Establishing a judicial court is in the interest of all. Bentham recommends a Congress of deputies from each country which shall be public in its proceedings. Its power is in reporting its decisions to public opinion. Here Bentham appears to be excessively idealistic in comparison to Saint-Pierre and Rousseau who felt the need for enforcement. Bentham naively believes that if secrecy were given up, the public would no longer support wars.