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Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch

Immanuel Kant · 1795

Kant's 1795 essay proposing a program for lasting peace among nations, influencing later ideas like the League of Nations and United Nations.

Kant's own treatise proposing a lasting peace plan among nations, an early blueprint for international cooperation.

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Title page of Kant's 'Zum ewigen Frieden' printed in black Fraktur type. Text reads 'Zum ewigen Frieden. Ein philosophischer Entwurf von Immanuel Kant', with publication line 'Königsberg, bey Friedrich Nicolovius, 1795' at the bottom.
Immanuel Kant, Zum ewigen Frieden. Ein philosophischer Entwurf, title page, 1795.

About this source

What it is

Written by Immanuel Kant and published in 1795, this book sets out a plan for peace between states, written almost like the articles of a treaty. It lists 'Preliminary Articles' of immediate steps and 'Definitive Articles' describing conditions for lasting peace, such as republican government and a federation of free states.

Why it matters

Kant argued that republics, a federation of states, and respect for the rights of foreigners could together prevent war. His ideas later influenced thinkers and politicians, including the push behind the League of Nations and the United Nations, and are still discussed in modern theories about democracy and peace.

Look closer

  • Why might Kant have chosen to write his peace plan in the style of a legal treaty, with numbered articles?
  • What does his argument against a single world government, in favour of a federation of independent states, reveal about his worries over power?
  • What historical events after Kant's lifetime show his ideas being put into practice, or being ignored?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Immanuel Kant on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of the 1781 first edition of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. Blackletter title reads Critik der reinen Vernunft, von Immanuel Kant, Professor in Königsberg. Below: Riga, verlegts Johann Friedrich Hartknoch, 1781, with a floral wreath ornament.Book

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Critique of Pure Reason

Immanuel Kant · 1781 (revised 1787)

Printed page in German blackletter type headed 'Beantwortung der Frage: Was ist Aufklärung?' with the opening lines of Kant's essay, beginning 'Aufklärung ist der Ausgang des Menschen aus seiner selbst verschuldeten Unmündigkeit.' Page footer reads '2ter Band'.Book

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Answering the Question: What Is Enlightenment?

Immanuel Kant · 1784

Title page of Kant's Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten, printed in black Fraktur blackletter: 'Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten, von Immanuel Kant', with a decorative rococo ornament, a rule, and 'Riga, bey Johann Friedrich Hartknoch 1785' on a cream page.Book

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Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals

Immanuel Kant · 1785

Title page of the 1788 German edition of Kant's Critique of Practical Reason: 'Critik der practischen Vernunft von Immanuel Kant', with a floral wreath ornament, 'Riga, bey Johann Friedrich Hartknoch 1788', and a purple library stamp at bottom right.Book

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Critique of Practical Reason

Immanuel Kant · 1788 (completed 1787)

Title page of the 1790 German edition of Kant's Critik der Urtheilskraft. Large black gothic-style heading 'Critik der Urtheilskraft', 'von Immanuel Kant', a vignette of a small figure and plant engraving, and imprint 'Berlin und Libau, bey Lagarde und Friederich, 1790'. Faint English title 'Critique of Judgment' appears in the background.Book

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Critique of Judgment

Immanuel Kant · 1790

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