| This dissertation examines critically the universalistic aspect of liberal political thought, treating the writings of Emmanuel Kant as its most characteristic expression. To accomplish this end, it discusses three parts of the Kantian corpus: his pragmatic anthropology, insofar as it analyzes and attempts to overcome the psychological barriers to cosmopolitanism; his historical and religious thought, insofar as it attempts to show how, despite all the apparent obstacles, the attainment of a liberal world order is conceivable; and his political proposal for an international federation.; Furthermore, it shows that, taken together, these parts constitute a political whole and that Kant can be regarded as a thinker with a comprehensive political intention, aiming, however tentatively and problematically, at encouraging a moral transformation of the world.; Finally, it considers whether and to what extent the high political hopes encouraged by Kant may contribute to a certain sort of political extremism and irresponsibility ultimately inconsistent, not only with the moral way of life advocated by Kant, but with the moderate and decent republicanism supported by his liberal predecessors. |
