Philosophy Now Forum

Dan Corjescu looks at how Kant wanted to unite the world.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/136/Immanuel_Kants_Globalization_Program

The use of the word Republican in the political philosophy of Immanuel Kant is NOT synonymous with democracy as I understand it. Rather in his time, Europe was making the transition from rule by Royalty, to a representation of the people to include a wider range of wealthy, educated and courageous, mostly men, for ruling a nation. Ideally this stage was to lead to a complete democracy within which a total population had the rights to vote. To use sub-Saharan Africa as an unfortunate example for focus of the need to spread democracy, as if the violent instability present there is part of a savage mentality. The ancient African, among other earth based cultures, were small villages resembling democracy is that the elders, women and anyone could speak their minds, along with the tyranny of strong men with weapons could have been a common threat. What has occurred under the name of democratic capitalism was also part of some of the most violently oppressive movements and change of power in exploitation of African slavery, and abduction of Aboriginal land and resources among other abuses. The good intentions of representation by democracy and economic open markets are still well worth pursuing; many people within governments, advisors and critics work hard to make the ideal realization of democracy actual. We are still in a phase of a republicanism as I think as I. Kant envisioned as a stage toward full democracy. And economic growth for the benefit of a common humanity is of more importance today than any previous time in recorded history to restore ecological balance in the face of ongoing disasters. The world at large still need to hear the ideas that I. Kant had for benevolence in economic relations, and for not being complacently satisfied with present immature forms of democracy. The use of reason, as the unifying power of humanity to bring together nations in hospitable economic relations is still necessary axioms for the well being of all nations. That is my opinion.