more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
Rightful equality within a state is a relationship among citizens where no-one can put anyone else under a legal obligation without submitting simultaneously to a law which requires that he can be put under the same kind of obligation by the other person.
Gist of Idea
Equality is where you cannot impose a legal obligation you yourself wouldn't endure
Source
Immanuel Kant (Perpetual Peace [1795], 2.1st n)
Book Ref
Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.99
A Reaction
This appears only to be legal equality, rather than political or economic or social equality.
| 20569 | Kant made the social contract international and cosmopolitan [Kant, by Oksala] |
| 21073 | Hiring soldiers is to use them as instruments, ignoring their personal rights [Kant] |
| 21074 | Some trust in the enemy is needed during wartime, or peace would be impossible [Kant] |
| 21075 | The state of nature always involves the threat of war [Kant] |
| 21076 | Equality is where you cannot impose a legal obligation you yourself wouldn't endure [Kant] |
| 21077 | Each nation should, from self-interest, join an international security constitution [Kant] |
| 21078 | A constitution must always be improved when necessary [Kant] |
| 21079 | The a priori general will of a people shows what is right [Kant] |
| 20570 | There is now a growing universal community, and violations of rights are felt everywhere [Kant] |
| 20571 | There are political and inter-national rights, but also universal cosmopolitan rights [Kant] |