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Global government or global governance? : Realism and idealism in Kant's legal theory

Title data

Pinheiro Walla, Alice:
Global government or global governance? : Realism and idealism in Kant's legal theory.
In: Journal of Global Ethics. Vol. 13 (2018) Issue 3 . - pp. 312-325.
ISSN 1744-9634
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17449626.2018.1426622

Abstract in another language

Did Kant believe we need a world government? It has been a matter of controversy in Kant scholarship whether Kant endorsed the creation of a world state or merely a voluntary federation of states with no coercive power. I argue that Kant's main concern was with a global juridical condition, which he regarded as a rational requirement given the equal freedom and equality of individuals. However, he recognized that implementing this rational ideal requires sensitivity to contingent aspects of world politics. I will argue that Kant offers an ideal theory not disentangled from realist considerations and that he adopts what I will call methodological realism: the attempt to realize the requirements of Right (Recht) in a world governed by its own laws and mechanisms. I will illustrate this interpretation with Kant's discussion of the right of nations (Völkerrecht). The confusion in regard to Kant's actual position on the matter, I will argue, is a direct consequence of Kant's methodological realism. The article concludes by showing how Kant’'s ideas and methods can inspire us to rethink global institutions for our current global challenges.

Further data

Item Type: Article in a journal
Refereed: Yes
Keywords: World government; political realism; international rule of law; Kant
Institutions of the University: Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Philosophy > Junior Professor Political Philosophy
Faculties
Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies
Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Department of Philosophy
Result of work at the UBT: Yes
DDC Subjects: 100 Philosophy and psychology > 100 Philosophy
100 Philosophy and psychology > 170 Ethics
100 Philosophy and psychology > 190 Modern Western philosophy
Date Deposited: 23 Mar 2018 08:17
Last Modified: 23 Mar 2018 08:17
URI: https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/43071