Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch
Also known as Zum ewigen Frieden. Ein philosophischer Entwurf, Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Essay, Toward Perpetual Peace
Immanuel Kant's 1795 programme for lasting peace among republican states joined in a federation.
At a glance
Key ideas
Republican constitutions, A federation of free states, Universal hospitality …
See all 5Influence
Democratic peace, Wilson and the United Nations
See all 2Connections
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Kant sets out a peace programme for governments, written as articles of a treaty.
- Six preliminary articles cover steps such as abolishing standing armies in time and not interfering by force in other states' constitutions.
- Three definitive articles say each state should be a republic, the law of nations should rest on a federation of free states, and citizens of the world are owed universal hospitality.
- He argues against a world government, which he thought would be prone to tyranny.
Why it matters
- Its ideas are associated with democratic peace, commercial peace and institutional peace theory, and are seen in Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points and in the United Nations.
Key facts
- Author
- Immanuel Kant1
- Published
- 1795; an expanded edition followed in 17961
- Original language
- German1
- English translation
- Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Essay, by Mary Campbell Smith (3rd edition 1917)1
- Editions
- Hackett (2003); Political Writings, Cambridge University Press (1991); Practical Philosophy, Cambridge University Press (1999)1
Key ideas
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Republican constitutions1
Every state should be a republic, with a representative government and the legislature separate from the executive.
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A federation of free states1
The law of nations should rest on a league of independent republics, not a world state.
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Universal hospitality1
A stranger who comes in peace has the right not to be treated with hostility, but no right to be treated as a guest.
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No standing armies1
Standing armies should in time be totally abolished.
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No acts that poison the peace1
No state at war should use means, such as assassins or poisoners, that would make trust in a later peace impossible.
Influence
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