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Although often overlooked, Hobbes’ and Bentham’s international political thinking has more in common than one might think. This article proposes a philosophical reconstruction of Hobbes’ and Bentham’s thinking on the international, focusing more specifically on the relationship between economics and politics. First, we explain their common opposition to colonialism and warmongering foreign policies. Secondly, we show how they understand international trade, the economy and the market in relation to the State. We conclude by showing that there can be no hope for an international political theory of security, peace and prosperity that is autonomous and separate from the theory of the state.