arararPr langen sz1800 dirty0 arapapaendParaRPr langen sz1800 dirty0apapapPr marL457200 lvl0 indent317500 algnctr rtl0alnSpcaspcPct val115000alnSpcaspcBefaspcPts val0aspcBefabuClraschemeClr val ID: 412267
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "John and Nathan 24 Jan 2014" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
John and Nathan 24 Jan 2014
Slide2
Kant’s target “audience”:
The work is addressed to politicians that had engaged in the exact behavior Kant says to avoid. his
(secret treaties in the Treaty of Basil 1795)
Several sarcastic references to the “practical politician” both in the introductory paragraphs and the secret supplement at the end.
Challenges Absolutism, Monarchy, and intense Nationalism.Slide3
Kant outlines six necessary laws/rules/preconditions that nations must abide
by
in
order for his proposed system to bring perpetual peace.
These
are “
The Preliminary Articles
”.
I.‘‘No peace settlement which secretly reserves issues for a future
war
shall
be considered valid
.’’
II.‘‘No independently existing state (irrespective of whether it is
large
or
small) shall be able to be acquired by another state
through
inheritance
, exchange, purchase, or gift
.’’
III.‘‘Standing armies (miles perpetuus) shall gradually be
abolished
entirely.’’
IV.‘‘The state shall not contract debts in connection with
its
foreign
affairs
.’’
V.‘‘No state shall forcibly interfere in the constitution and
government
of
another state
.’’
VI. “No state shall allow itself such hostilities in wartime as would
make
mutual
trust in a future period
of
peace
impossible. Such acts
would
include
the employment of assassins (percussores), poisoners (venefici
),
breach
of surrender, incitement of treason (perduellio) within the
enemy
state
, etc.’’Slide4
The preliminary articles are necessary rules which must be followed in this proposed international realm but Kant chooses to separate them from the fundamental structural changes that he outlines in “The Definitive Articles
”
1. “The Civil constitution of every state shall be republican
”
Kant claims that all governments must be a republic in their governance, not a democracy
Kant does not provide many specifics for how the republic ought to be laid out other than stipulating that members must be equal as citizens, free to act, and bound by a common legislation.
Also stipulates that the executive and legislative branches must be kept separate.
Logical choice because republics are naturally conducive to the aim of perpetual peace: a scenario in which the people are their own state rulers would naturally engender perpetual peace as people would certainly not want to engage themselves in war if they have a say in it, whereas under a government where the people are subjects, they have no say against a declaration of war. Slide5
2. “International right shall be based on the federalism of free states
”
States coexist in a federative union, which Kant calls a “pacific federation” for the purpose of “securing and maintaining the freedom of a state for itself and also the freedom of other confederated states without...being required to subject themselves to public laws
.”
3. “Cosmopolitan right shall be limited to the conditions of universal hospitality
”
"the right of a stranger not to be treated in a hostile manner by another
upon his arrival on the other’s territory”82
Kant argues that relations between nations and individuals must be distinct because people can now be considered
“citizens of a universal state of human beings” who possess “rights of citizens of the world”83Slide6
i. Human nature: what theory is developed, what assumptions are made
?
He speaks about human nature and ego with respect to politicians.
In the Second Supplement which he titles the Secret Supplement, he speaks to the nature of politicians ego’s and therefore sanctions closed door meetings in order to negotiate privately and without fear of reproach.
When addressing the need for a Cosmopolitan Right
“The maliciousness of human nature, although quite concealed by the
coercion of government in the state of civil law, can be observed openly in
the free relations between the
peoples”82
ii. Ethics: how do ethics figure in the argument? Is the author engaging in moral condemnation or moral prescription, if so, on the basis of what sort of ethical theory
?
Kant does not use or try to justify any specific moral principles, rather he tries to outline the practical conditions for peace.
Morality is the “theoretical doctrine of right” (94
)
iii. Politics: what is politics according to the author? What should the purposes of politics be
?
Politics is the “applied doctrine of right” (94)
Politics is the interactions of multiple representative governments.Slide7
Evaluation of Kant’s Claim
Strengths:
1. Hard theory to negate because it is virtually impossible to apply in practice.
2. Binding international law could resolve conflicts.
Weaknesses:
Kant makes multiple assumptions that are not necessarily true, but much of his reasoning is derived by holding these suppositions as valid
All humans will act rationally in a republic, or else that they will invariably pursue their own interests (against war)
All republics will function perfectly as he describes them
Very unclear how the republic is supposed to be formed.
Disarmament, especially nowadays, is essentially impossible.