Revision:Implementing Perpetual Peace

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If we wanted perpetual peace, we could start with one gigantic, universal state, but, Kant says, this wouldn't work, for a number of reasons:

• Linguistic and religious differences naturally separate states
• If states gave up their sovereignty they would no longer be states
• A world state would be inherently despotic
• It would be impossible for a single central ruler to have control over the entire earth

So, we need a federation of free nation states based on international law. All conflicts between states would be settled through discussion and legal arbitration. An international federation would be constituted under the terms of the preliminary articles.

Preliminary Articles

The preliminary articles are intended to ensure the security of individual states and remove conflict between them.

1. The constitution will be republican
2. No state can acquire another state
3. Standing armies will be abolished
4. There will be no national debt for any state in connection with external affairs
5. No state shall interfere with the affairs of another state
6. No state shall damage the confidence between it and other states by spying, instigating treason or assassinating members of other states

Definitive Articles

In order to implement these preliminary articles, a number of preconditions, set out in the definitive articles are necessary:

• All states should have a republican constitution. In practice this means
  • Freedom for all members of society
  • A single legislation
  • Principle of legal equality for everyone

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