more from Immanuel Kant

Single Idea 21067

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 4. Citizenship]

Full Idea

The only qualification required by a citizen (apart, of course, from being an adult male) is that he must be his own master, and must have some property (which can include any skill, trade, fine art or science) to support himself.

Gist of Idea

A citizen must control his own life, and possess property or an important skill

Source

Immanuel Kant (True in Theory, but not in Practice [1792], 2-3)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Political Writings', ed/tr. Reiss,Hans [CUP 1996], p.78


A Reaction

Of course! Being one's own master evidently allows for being an employee, as long as this is a free contract, and not exploitation. Invites lots of interesting test cases. We need a Marxist commentary on this idea.