IPM7430 - KANT AND WORLD POLITICS

Module Identifier

IPM7430

Module Title

KANT AND WORLD POLITICS

Academic Year

2007/2008

Co-ordinator

Professor Howard L Williams

Semester

Intended for use in future years

Next year offered

N/A

Next semester offered

N/A

Other staff

Professor Howard L Williams

Course delivery

Seminars / Tutorials

20 Hours. 10 x 2 Hour Seminars

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	2 x 5000 word essays (50% Each)	100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Discuss the historical origins and development of Kant's peace theory
Describe and analyse the main theoretical perspectives of Perpetual Peace
Demonstrate, through written work and in seminars, an ability to apply these theoretical perspectives to contemporary issues relating to state and interstate theory.
Define and evaluate the Preliminary Articles and Definitive Articles of Kant's outline for peace
Relate Kant's arguments in Perpetual Peace to his practical philosophy as a whole
Stipulate and evaluate Kant's account of the relation between morality and politics
Demonstrate, through written work and in seminar discussions, an awareness and understanding of differing interpretations of Kant's writing on peace.
Discuss and evaluate moral justifications for the cessation of war
Demonstrate the contemporary relevance of Kant's thinking
Demonstrate the strengths or weaknesses of Kant's political and international theory in relation to that of one other major thinker e.g. Hobbes, Schmitt and Rawls

Brief description

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the moral and political thought of Immanuel Kant as it impacts on international politics. It will involve an in depth study of Kant's Perpetual Peace and the debates that arise from its reception in contemporary international relations theory, political theory and international relations in general.

Content

What is Kant's critical Philosophy? The politics of the Critique of Pure Reason
Practice and moral perspective - the role of the categorical imperative
Perpetual Peace - the six preliminary articles: what is wrong about secrecy, imperialism, national debts, standing armies and spying.
Perpetual Peace - the first definitive article: republican constitutions and their contribution to peace. The democratic peace thesis.
Perpetual Peace - the second definitive article: the pacific federation and international law. Contemporary interpretations, e.g. Habermas & Held
Perpetual Peace - the third definitive article: how should we understand cosmopolitan right?
Perpetual Peace - the guarantee of lasting peace: history and progress, practical not theoretical assurance. The end of history debate.
Perpetual Peace - the role of the theorist (philosopher): how theory can make a difference.
Perpetual Peace - morality and right: how realist politics is self defeating
Perpetual Peace - the idea of transcendental public right: publicity as the measure of just policy

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7