This theory encompasses the ideas behind the creating of a League of Nations. This would help ensure that every nation is pursuing what is in the best interest of world politics and not just its own interest. This is Kant’s liberal third image thinking at its height. On this subject Kant explains: “A league of a special sort must therefore be established, on that we can call a league of peace, which will be distinguished from a treaty of peace because the latter seeks merely to stop one war, while the former seeks to end all wars forever.” (115) The third article is what Kant calls the cosmopolitan right.
This law deals with a nation’s peaceful obligations to visitors from other nations. The law states that if a person is visiting another nation, then that nation should treat him kindly and show him no ill will. He further elaborates on the rights of nations to choose whether or not to give a visitor extended or permanent residence. He believes that the more nations interact, the less likely it is for war to break out between them. He closes his writings with two supplements and an appendix. At this point in his essay, Kant turns to a more philosophical viewpoint.
He discusses a man’s tendency to be in a state of war. Kant titles it the “Secret Article for Perpetual Peace.” The secret is that the government should consult with philosophers on matters of the state without the knowledge of the people. He believes that philosophers are essential to searching for and solving the problems of war. He explains that people revere the government as wise and must keep the consultation private. But, he would like to make it possible for the philosophers speak freely to the public. The end of his essay is entrenched in his liberalism.
The Essay on Benefits Of War
Although it may not be obvious, there are many clear benefits to war, at least from an American perspective. As a result, war helps to stimulate the economy, allowing us to maintain our superior position on the rest of the world, creating a sense of nationalism among Americans. Throughout the past years and conflicts many new ideas and benefits were brought about, much of which is from WWII. If ...
He argues that politics needs some sense of morality for a nation to stay at peace. Again, he refers to man’s natural state as a state of war. In his appendix, he shares his view on how we can leave our natural state for one of peace. This demonstrates how he turns a realist view liberal.
He sees the solution in the choices of mankind. He argues that people must do what is right and make their decisions based on the good of the republic to make peace become a reality. The majority of Kant’s essay is based on liberal theory. He relies heavily on second image theories with his beliefs in republican constitutions. He sees the causes of war to be linked to the nature of state and government.
He believes that states should form a union and not merely act on their own accord. Kant reiterates: “For the sake of its own security, each nation can and should demand that the others enter into a contract resembling the civil one and guaranteeing the rights of each. This would be a federation of nations, but it must not be a nation consisting with nations” (115) A realist would find it difficult to be drawn into this type of contract. Their philosophy is strictly first image and deals only with power. Kant disagrees with a philosophy based solely on power struggles. He argues that if the state meets his long term needs, then man will act in ways that best serve the state.
This also opposes the realist ideology. For instance, realists argue that men only make decisions that affect him on a short run basis. In its very conception, a republican government is a long term undertaking. His main connection with the realist theory is his admittance that the natural state of man is war.
The Term Paper on In His Essay on Perpetual Peace Kant Makes An Interesting part 1
In his essay 'On perpetual peace' Kant makes an interesting remark about the role of the differences between religions in the course of world history. According to Kant world history is moving towards a growing community of nations. But this process, however positive for excluding the possibility of war in the future, has a dangerous side. A universal monolithical political system could arise ...
He confronts this throughout his essay. “The state of peace among men living in close proximity is not the natural state; instead, the natural state is one of war, which does not exist in open hostilities, but also in constant and enduring threat of them.” (111) Kant argues that if we involve morality in our decisions and choose what is right for our nation, then perpetual peace will surely come. Throughout the essay, Kant offers his views on avoiding war through compromising, problem solving, morality, and a coming together of states to ensure peace. These ideals oppose the realist thought because they do not place all the emphasis on war and power. Instead, he focuses on the first image theories of the psychology of man and relies heavily on second image theories of the nature of the state. Kant stresses rule of law throughout his essay.
He wants a governmental system created whereby you have a society of laws and not of men. Kant starts out at the first image as a realist by admitting the inherent warlike human nature of mankind. As he moves to the second image he moves toward more liberal beliefs. He sees the state as a means of implementing a moral society with a structure that leaves no room for misbehavior.
At the third image he becomes quite liberal. If states can abide by laws, then they can work together in harmony and morality. This is in sharp contrast with a classic realist like Morgantheau who sees no room for morality in international relations. However, Kant is not a naive liberal. For instance, he agrees with Thomas Hobbes when he concurs that there is no law above the state. With this knowledge in hand, he urges states to overcome their natural instincts and do what will ensure a perpetual peace.
Or else, he warns: .”.. the destruction of both parties along with all rights is the result – would permit perpetual peace to occur only in the vast graveyard of humanity as a whole.” (110) Words Count: 1, 665.
The Term Paper on Kant: Grounding for Metaphysics and Morals
Immanuel Kant states that the only thing in this world that is “good without qualification” is the good will. He states the attributes of character such as intelligence, wit, and judgment are considered good but can be used for the wrong reasons. Kant also states that the attributes of good fortune such as health, power, riches, honor, that provide one happiness can also be used in the wrong way ( ...
Bibliography:
1. Kant, Immanuel. Perpetual Peace. Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.
1998.
