Original scientific paper

PAX KANTIANA AND HEGEL'S CRITIQUE

Goran Gretić ; Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Kant's concept of "perpetual peace" is the cornerstone of the rational human right which, in the form of international law, bears upon all states. However, the prerequisite for enduring international legal security and peace is that the internal affairs of states are based on constitutional and republican principles. Although Kant is clearly aware of the antinomies and paradoxes of a world league of states, he nevertheless postulates the ideal of a world league of republican states, since it corresponds to the general striving of nature and moral consciousness, and finally, such a league would guarantee a relatively peaceful coexistence among the states, based on international legal precepts. Hegel has often (and wrongfully) been accused of being an apologist of war; in fact, he only realized (having in mind the realities of sovereign national states) the inevitability of multilateral conflicts - including military ones. His disproval of Kant's ideal of a league of states is based on his disbelief in the feasibility of supranational law, which should be superior to the absolute sovereignty of the state and keep an eye on and contain its partial interests.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

105851

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/105851

Publication date:

4.10.1996.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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