In this reading, Kant proposed a peace program to be implemented by governments. Kant's essay in some ways resembles democratic peace theory. This is a theory which states that liberal democracies don't go to war with one another. Kant speaks of republic states, which he says have representative governments, in which the legislature is separated from the executive. Kant puts forward necessary means to any peace, and he argues that notions can be brought into federation with one another without the loss of sovereignty.
As Kant mentioned, liberal democracies are less prone to go to war because they prefer to solve issues by negotiations instead of having an armed conflict. Democracies possess greater public wealth, and therefore avoid war to preserve infrastructure and resources. Other then that in a democracy, public has most of the power and they try to avoid war as much as possible.
For the perpetual peace Kant talks about, he presents his scheme necessary for that peace; its first part comprises 'preliminary articles for perpetual peace among states', which would reduce warfare even among states that are not republics yet. His second part, the 'definitive articles' for perpetual peace requires avoidance of provocation and the permanent institution of a federation of republic governments, whose citizens always have the right to hospitality from foreign governments but not the right to dominate other states.
Some political scientists argue that Kant's theory is wrong and republics and democracies do go to war. However I believe that if there were true democracies, there would be less chances of war. We can not say that there won't be war because human beings have free will, they remain free to choose what is right and wrong and it depends on them whether they want to wage war against other states or not. But it is possible according to Kant's theory to achieve peace in the world.
As Kant mentioned, liberal democracies are less prone to go to war because they prefer to solve issues by negotiations instead of having an armed conflict. Democracies possess greater public wealth, and therefore avoid war to preserve infrastructure and resources. Other then that in a democracy, public has most of the power and they try to avoid war as much as possible.
For the perpetual peace Kant talks about, he presents his scheme necessary for that peace; its first part comprises 'preliminary articles for perpetual peace among states', which would reduce warfare even among states that are not republics yet. His second part, the 'definitive articles' for perpetual peace requires avoidance of provocation and the permanent institution of a federation of republic governments, whose citizens always have the right to hospitality from foreign governments but not the right to dominate other states.
Some political scientists argue that Kant's theory is wrong and republics and democracies do go to war. However I believe that if there were true democracies, there would be less chances of war. We can not say that there won't be war because human beings have free will, they remain free to choose what is right and wrong and it depends on them whether they want to wage war against other states or not. But it is possible according to Kant's theory to achieve peace in the world.
Good post and I like that you note how this theory could work if we actually had true democracies. Perhaps one day they more "true" democracies will come into existence.
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