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Single Idea 21072
[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / a. Just wars
]
Full Idea
Each state must be organised so that the head of state, for whom the war costs nothing (for he wages it at the expense of the people) must no longer have the deciding vote on whether war is to be declared or not, for the people who pay for it must decide.
Gist of Idea
The people (who have to fight) and not the head of state should declare a war
Source
Immanuel Kant (True in Theory, but not in Practice [1792], 3)
Book Ref
Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.90
A Reaction
I would guess that he has Louis XIV particularly in mind. Imagine if Kant's proposal had been implemented in 1914. A referendum takes ages, and the people would need the facts (from the intelligence agencies).
The
14 ideas
from 'True in Theory, but not in Practice'
21060
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It can't be a duty to strive after the impossible
[Kant]
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21059
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General rules of action also need a judgement about when to apply them
[Kant]
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21061
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Duty does not aim at an end, but gives rise to universal happiness as aim of the will
[Kant]
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21062
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The will's motive is the absolute law itself, and moral feeling is receptivity to law
[Kant]
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21063
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Personal contracts are for some end, but a civil state contract involves a duty to share
[Kant]
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21064
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A lawful civil state must embody freedom, equality and independence for its members
[Kant]
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21066
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Citizens can rise to any rank that talent, effort and luck can achieve
[Kant]
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21065
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You can't make a contract renouncing your right to make contracts!
[Kant]
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21067
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A citizen must control his own life, and possess property or an important skill
[Kant]
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21068
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There must be a unanimous contract that citizens accept majority decisions
[Kant]
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21069
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A contract is theoretical, but it can guide rulers to make laws which the whole people will accept
[Kant]
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21070
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A law is unjust if the whole people could not possibly agree to it
[Kant]
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21071
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There can be no restraints on freedom if reason does not reveal some basic rights
[Kant]
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21072
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The people (who have to fight) and not the head of state should declare a war
[Kant]
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