Basics of International Relations II
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), was a German philosopher and thinker who wrote “Perpetual Peace”, where he proposed to establish a peace federation based on the rational individual and Republican political order. The Kantian peace federation is based on three main aspects. 1. FREEDOM OF ALL HUMANS- In Immanuel Kant’s view a war is in many respects a product of feudal relations and tyranny- lords fighting to seek new lands and wealth, and common men having no interest in military conflict. Kant, unlike other “pessimists”, believed in the good nature of humans. 2. HUMAN RATIONALITY- According to Kant the peaceful relationship between people and their community will prevail in a free society. Personal safety and property are more valuable assets than prestige. 3. CONSTITUTION BASED REPUBLICAN STATE- As all individuals are rational, they know that they will bear the cost of a war. In a republican state they ca...