Kant's Perpetual Peace and Current International Law Philosophy
Published:
Mar 25, 2020
Keywords:
Immanuel Kant; Perpetual Peace; International Law; Federation of Peoples; Republicanism; State of Nature; Social Contract; Cosmopolitan Right
Abstract
This article provides a critical analysis of Immanuel Kant’s political philosophy, specifically his 1795 essay Perpetual Peace, and its enduring influence on modern international law. The author explores the Kantian transition from a "state of nature" between nations—characterized by a constant threat of war—to a "federation of peoples" (foedus amphictyonum) based on an original social contract. The study examines the shift in Kant’s thought from advocating for a universal federal state to proposing a voluntary league of sovereign republics that protect one another against external aggression without interfering in internal affairs. The paper also discusses the concept of "patriotic government" versus paternalistic rule and the necessity of a representative system for a truly republican constitution. Ultimately, the author evaluates how Kant’s principles of right and the categorical imperative provide a foundational framework for contemporary debates on global governance and the prevention of international conflict.
Article Details
- How to Cite
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Guariglia, O. (2020). Kant’s Perpetual Peace and Current International Law Philosophy. Ηθική. Περιοδικό φιλοσοφίας, (3), 5–18. https://doi.org/10.12681/ethiki.22652
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- No. 3 (2007)
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- Articles
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