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Single Idea 21069

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 2. State Legitimacy / c. Social contract ]

Full Idea

The original contract …is merely an idea of reason, which nonetheless has undoubted practical reality; for it can oblige every legislator to frame his laws in such a way that they could have been produced by the united will of a whole nation.

Gist of Idea

A contract is theoretical, but it can guide rulers to make laws which the whole people will accept

Source

Immanuel Kant (True in Theory, but not in Practice [1792], 2-Concl)

Book Ref

Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.79

A Reaction

The contractualist theory of morality of Thomas Scanlon approaches this. Note that Kant says it 'can' oblige the legislators. Nothing would compel them to follow such a principle.

The 14 ideas from 'True in Theory, but not in Practice'

21060 It can't be a duty to strive after the impossible [Kant]
21059 General rules of action also need a judgement about when to apply them [Kant]
21061 Duty does not aim at an end, but gives rise to universal happiness as aim of the will [Kant]
21062 The will's motive is the absolute law itself, and moral feeling is receptivity to law [Kant]
21064 A lawful civil state must embody freedom, equality and independence for its members [Kant]
21063 Personal contracts are for some end, but a civil state contract involves a duty to share [Kant]
21066 Citizens can rise to any rank that talent, effort and luck can achieve [Kant]
21065 You can't make a contract renouncing your right to make contracts! [Kant]
21068 There must be a unanimous contract that citizens accept majority decisions [Kant]
21067 A citizen must control his own life, and possess property or an important skill [Kant]
21069 A contract is theoretical, but it can guide rulers to make laws which the whole people will accept [Kant]
21071 There can be no restraints on freedom if reason does not reveal some basic rights [Kant]
21070 A law is unjust if the whole people could not possibly agree to it [Kant]
21072 The people (who have to fight) and not the head of state should declare a war [Kant]