Immanuel Kant: “Perpetual Peace”
Immanuel Kant lived from 1724-1804 in Prussia, a largely militaristic state. The context in which he wrote was one of decolonization, with England losing American at the end of the American Revolution. His mother was a poor, devout Christian as well as an intellectual. Kant is considered an original thinker. He was a theorist who questioned anything that didn't have a reason behind it (i.e. god), which often got him into trouble.
Kant's "Perpetual Peace" is divided into two sections: Section I, the preliminary articles, and Section II, the definitive articles. The preliminary articles are the conditions that would need to exist in order to allow for the institutional changes necessary to perpetual peace. The definitive articles are the institutional changes that would create perpetual peace. Section I is necessary for the existence of Section II.
Section I:
Section II:
Kant's "Perpetual Peace" is divided into two sections: Section I, the preliminary articles, and Section II, the definitive articles. The preliminary articles are the conditions that would need to exist in order to allow for the institutional changes necessary to perpetual peace. The definitive articles are the institutional changes that would create perpetual peace. Section I is necessary for the existence of Section II.
Section I:
- If there are plans for a future war, a declaration of peace has no validity
- You can't purchase or trade states
- Get rid of standing armies
- International affairs don't contribute to national debt
- Shouldn't interfere with others' constitutions and governments
- States at war should not employ methods (i.e. spying) that will make future trust and peace impossible
Section II:
- Every state should be republican
- There should be a federation of free states
- A global citizenship based on hospitality is necessary to perpetual peace.