More Kant:
The problem of organizing a state, however hard it may seem, can be solved even for a race of devils, if only they are intelligent. The problem is: "Given a multitude of rational beings requiring universal laws for their preservation, but each of whom is secretly inclined to exempt himself from them, to establish a constitution in such a way that, although their private intentions conflict, they check each other, with the result that their public conduct is the same as if they had no such intentions." mtholyoke.edu
My comment: The U.S., today, has no practical restraints on the exercise of her power, military or otherwise, and hence has exempted herself from all mutually-agreed international rules, treaties, and organizations. We are a Rogue State, and a menace to the freedom of every other nation.
The idea of international law presupposes the separate existence of many independent but neighboring states. Although this condition is itself a state of war (unless a federative union prevents the outbreak of hostilities), this is rationally preferable to the amalgamation of states under one superior power, as this would end in one universal monarchy, and laws always lose in vigor what government gains in extent; hence a soulless despotism falls into anarchy after stifling the seeds of the good.
My comment: So, when the U.S. uses Saddam's butchery and oppression of Iraqis, as a reason to invade them, and sets up a military occupation government, the only possible result can be a "soulless despotism", not freedom.
mtholyoke.edu |
