Kant and the End of War: A Critique of Just War Theory (International Political Theory)

The paperback edition (published in 2016) includes a new preface with a discussion of recent examples. Kant stands almost unchallenged as one of the major thinkers of the European Enlightenment. This book brings the ideas of his critical philosophy to bear on one of the leading political and legal questions of our age: under what circumstances, if any, is recourse to war legally and morally justifiable? This issue was strikingly brought to the fore by the 2003 war in Iraq. The book critiques the tradition of just war thinking and suggests how international law and international relations can be viewed from an alternative perspective that aims at a more pacific system of states. Instead of seeing the theory of just war as providing a stabilizing context within which international politics can be carried out, Williams argues that the theory contributes to the current unstable international condition. The just war tradition is not the silver lining in a generally dark horizon but rather an integral feature of the dark horizon of current world politics. Kant was one of the first and most profound thinkers to moot this understanding of just war reasoning and his work remains a crucial starting point for a critical theory of war today. Kant Stands Almost Unchallenged As One Of The Major Thinkers Of The European Enlightenment. This Book Brings The Ideas Of His Critical Philosophy To Bear On One Of The Leading Political And Legal Questions Of Our Age: Under What Circumstances, If Any, Is Recourse To War Legally And Morally Justifiable? This Issue Was Strikingly Brought To The Fore By The 2003 War In Iraq. The Book Critiques The Tradition Of Just War Thinking And Suggests How International Law And International Relations Can Be Viewed From An Alternative Perspective That Aims At A More Pacific System Of States. Instead Of Seeing The Theory Of Just War As Providing A Stabilizing Context Within Which International Politics Can Be Carried Out, Williams Argues That The Theory Contributes To The Current Unstable International Condition. The Just War Tradition Is Not The Silver Lining In A Generally Dark Horizon But Rather An Integral Feature Of The Dark Horizon Of Current World Politics. Kant Was One Of The First And Most Profound Thinkers To Moot This Understanding Of Just War Reasoning And His Work Remains A Crucial Starting Point For A Critical Theory Of War Today. Introduction -- The Motif Of War In Kant's Critical Philosophy -- Kant And Just War Theory: The Problem Outlined -- Perpetual Peace And The Case Against Just War Theory -- The Metaphysics Of Morals And The Case For A Just War Theory -- Bringing The Argument Together: How To Avoid Being A Sorry Comforter Whilst Dealing With The International State Of Nature -- Kantian Perspectives On Foreign Intervention -- The Hegelian Premises Of Contemporary Just War Theory And Their Kantian Critique -- Conclusion: The Critique Of Just War Theory. Howard Williams, Professor In Political Theory, Department Of International Politics, University Of Wales, Aberystwyth. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. An exploration of Immanuel Kant's account of war and the controversies that have arisen from its interpretation. This book brings the ideas of Kant's critical philosophy to bear on one of the leading political and legal questions of our age: under what circumstances, if any, is recourse to war legally and morally justifiable? Kant stands almost unchallenged as one of the major thinkers of the European Enlightenment. This book brings the ideas of his critical philosophy to bear on one of the leading political and legal questions of our age: under what circumstances, if any, is recourse to war legally and morally justifiable? This issue was strikingly brought to the fore by the 2003 war in Iraq. The book critiques the tradition of just war thinking and suggests how international law and international relations can be viewed from an alternative perspective that aims at a more pacific system of states. Instead of seeing the theory of just war as providing a stabilizing context within which international politics can be carried out, Williams argues that the theory contributes to the current unstable international condition. The just war tradition is not the silver lining in a generally dark horizon but rather an integral feature of the dark horizon of current world politics. Kant was one of the first and most profound thinkers to moot this understanding of just war reasoning and his work remains a crucial starting point for a critical theory of war today Front Matter....Pages i-vi Introduction....Pages 1-9 The Motif of War in Kant’s Critical Philosophy....Pages 10-39 Kant and Just War Theory: The Problem Outlined....Pages 40-55 Perpetual Peace and the Case against Just War Theory....Pages 56-71 The Metaphysics of Morals and the Case for Just War Theory....Pages 72-90 Bringing the Argument Together....Pages 91-112 Kantian Perspectives on Foreign Intervention....Pages 113-140 The Hegelian Premises of Contemporary Just War Theory and Their Kantian Critique....Pages 141-165 Conclusion: The Kantian Critique of Just War Theory....Pages 166-171 Back Matter....Pages 172-204 Introduction 1. - The Motif of War in Kant's Critical Philosophy 10. - Kant and Just War Theory: The Problem Outlined 40. - Perpetual Peace and the Case against Just War Theory 56. - The Metaphysics of Morals and the Case for a Just War Theory 72. - Bringing the Argument Together: How to Avoid being a Sorry Comforter whilst Dealing with the International State of Nature 91. - Kantian Perspectives on Foreign Intervention 113. - The Hegelian Premises of Contemporary Just War Theory and their Kantian Critique 141. - Conclusion: The Critique of Just War Theory 166