ABSTRACT
Because of the existence of the idea of economic pressure, which does not seem likely to disappear, the countries which are not economically selfdependent will quite naturally try to find ways and means of defending themselves in anticipation of some crisis and in order to escape coercion in the form of economic pressure. They will consider the formation of economic blocs as a measure of economic self-defence, or the establishment of powerful states which can be self-sufficient both in times of peace and war . . . There is no reason why economic self-defence, which is the same [as military self-defence] in its ultimate effects, should not be acknowledged as proper in international relations.
