Description
TOWARD PERPETUAL PEACE
Book Summary
Published in 1795, "Toward Perpetual Peace" is a visionary essay in which Immanuel Kant establishes the philosophical foundations for achieving lasting peace among nations. Through a series of preliminary and definitive articles, the German philosopher proposes a world order based on reason, international law, and cooperation between republican states. This work, which anticipates key concepts such as the federation of free nations and the need for cosmopolitan law, remains a fundamental reference for understanding the ethical and political foundations of peace, global justice, and modern diplomacy.
What is it about?
In "Toward Perpetual Peace," Kant develops a philosophical-political project that establishes the necessary conditions to overcome the latent state of war between states. The work is structured in two main sections: preliminary articles, which prohibit practices such as secret treaties or intervention in other states, and definitive articles, which lay the foundations for a peaceful international order. Among its central ideas is the need for all states to adopt a republican constitution, the creation of a federation of free peoples, and the establishment of a cosmopolitan law that guarantees universal hospitality. Kant rejects war as a political tool and advocates for a system based on ethics, freedom, and reason, where peace is not a mere armistice, but a permanent and legally guaranteed state.
Main themes
- Political philosophy and the theory of the republican state as a guarantor of peace.
- International law and the need for a federation of free nations.
- Critique of war as a political instrument and defense of the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
- Cosmopolitan law and the concept of universal hospitality among peoples.
- Relationship between morality, reason, and politics in the construction of a just global order.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and professionals in philosophy, political science, law, and international relations, as well as any reader interested in the foundations of pacifist thought and critical theory of war. It is also essential for those seeking to understand the Enlightenment roots of contemporary international institutions, such as the UN or the European Union, and for all those concerned about the ethical and political dilemmas of peace in today's world.
What this book contributes
- A deep understanding of the philosophical and legal conditions necessary to achieve stable and lasting peace among nations.
- Keys to critically analyzing international conflicts from an ethical and rational perspective.
- Theoretical foundations that anticipate key concepts of modern international law and contemporary diplomacy.
- A relevant reflection on the relationship between morality, politics, and freedom in the construction of a global order.
- Tools to debate the feasibility of perpetual peace as a regulative ideal in the 21st century.
Technical specifications
- Author: Kant, Immanuel
- Publisher: Biblioteca Nueva
- Language: Spanish
- Collection: Non-Fiction
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2026
- Number of pages: 96
- Weight: 137 g
Editorial review
"Toward Perpetual Peace" is a short but exceptionally dense philosophical work that condenses Kant's Enlightenment thought on war and peace. Its relevance transcends the historical context of its publication, offering an essential theoretical framework for understanding current debates on international law, global governance, and conflict resolution. This pocket-sized edition, with a limited number of pages, facilitates access to a classic text that continues to challenge readers committed to building a fairer and more peaceful world.