Jean-Jacque Rousseau and Immanuel Kant are considered to be relatively modern political thinkers in comparison with the history of IR, so they, as profound philosophers, are not left out of the process of constructing this field as the natural science. They have contributed by leaving their precious works and even more by influencing the minds of people in a great way in terms of Enlightenment. Nonetheless, the main concern of this work is not determining what those thinkers contributed to the theories of IR but, conversely, what ideas of those philosophers tend to be idealistic, realistic, and neoliberal in modern terms. By making an analysis it would be clear that neither Rousseau nor Kant is purely idealist or realist, but both of them tend to be neoliberals.
Table of Contents
1. Written by Wolf Irina
2. International and Comparative
3. Idealism
4. Realism
5. Neoliberalism
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This work aims to analyze the political theories of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Immanuel Kant through the lens of modern International Relations. The central research question explores whether these philosophers are purely idealist or realist, or if their ideas align more closely with the framework of neoliberalism.
- The theoretical foundations of idealism and realism in international relations.
- Comparative analysis of human nature as perceived by Rousseau and Kant.
- The role of law, morality, and sovereignty in state relations.
- Evaluation of Rousseau and Kant as precursors to neoliberal thought.
- The divergence and coincidence of both thinkers regarding the concept of progress.
Excerpt from the Book
Idealism.
People who associate themselves with idealism theory tend to believe in the assumptions and principle concepts of this theory. Yet, that is not about Rousseau or Kant, even if some of their ideas are purely idealistic. In contemporary times “Idealists think that human nature is basically good and that with good habits, education, and appropriate international structures, human nature can become the basis of peaceful and cooperative international relationships. Idealists see the international system as one based on a community of states that have the potential to work together to overcome mutual problems, just as neighbors in a small town might do. Idealism emphasizes international law, morality, and international organization, rather than power alone, as key influences on international events.”
Both Rousseau and Kant stress the essential role of morality in their works. For Rousseau “…mores, customs, and especially of opinion, a part of law unknown to our political theorists but one on which depends the success of all the others…” He even devotes a considerable part for a discussion on the censorship that is vital for preserving mores. “The censorship maintains mores by preventing opinions from becoming corrupt, by preserving their rectitude through wise applications, and sometimes even by making a determination on them when they are still uncertain.” Kant as well emphasizes morality as one of the necessary elements that are needed for a constitution of a good state.
Summary of Chapters
Written by Wolf Irina: Provides an initial contextual overview of the field of International Relations and the significance of constructing political theories.
International and Comparative: Explores the definition of theory as an intellectual tool to organize the complexity of the world and introduces the three core paradigms: idealism, realism, and radicalism.
Idealism: Examines how the concept of human nature and morality in the works of Rousseau and Kant relates to the idealistic school of thought.
Realism: Analyzes the compatibility of Rousseau’s and Kant’s ideas with realist assumptions, such as anarchy, power, and national interest.
Neoliberalism: Argues that both philosophers are best understood as neoliberals, as they advocate for cooperation, institutions, and long-term interests despite acknowledging realist power dynamics.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings and contrasts the philosophers' differing views on progress, while emphasizing their shared influence on the Enlightenment and modern global structures.
Keywords
International Relations, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, Idealism, Realism, Neoliberalism, Political Philosophy, Enlightenment, Human Nature, Morality, Sovereignty, Cooperation, State of Nature, Progress, Diplomacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work examines the political thought of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Immanuel Kant to determine where their theories stand within the modern International Relations paradigms of idealism, realism, and neoliberalism.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include the interpretation of human nature, the role of morality and law in international politics, the nature of anarchy between states, and the importance of international cooperation.
What is the main objective of the author?
The goal is to demonstrate that while Rousseau and Kant are often associated with various traditions, they are most accurately characterized as neoliberal thinkers when viewed through the prism of modern political theory.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a comparative theoretical analysis, taking specific concepts from Rousseau's and Kant's seminal works and evaluating them against the definitions and assumptions of contemporary IR theories.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The body covers an analysis of idealism, an investigation into realist elements within the philosophers' works, and a final assessment of their contributions to the neoliberal understanding of international institutions and peace.
Which keywords best characterize the research?
Key terms include International Relations, Rousseau, Kant, Idealism, Realism, Neoliberalism, and Enlightenment.
How does the author define the relationship between Rousseau and Kant?
The author highlights that while they come from different cultural backgrounds, they share significant intellectual ground as part of the Enlightenment, despite their conflicting views on the concept of progress.
Why does the author classify these philosophers as neoliberals?
They are classified as such because they acknowledge the realist constraints of power and anarchy, but simultaneously argue for the necessity of international laws, treaties, and collective efforts to achieve lasting peace.
- Citation du texte
- Irina Wolf (Auteur), 2001, J.J. Rousseau, I. Kant and the Theories of International Relations, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/130066
