ABSTRACT
Kant's vision of a federation of republics relies on political terminology similar to Rousseau's. His usage hinges on a distinction between the state, which is democratic if the constitution provides for popular sovereignty, and government, which must be either republican or despotic. As to federalism, the creation of the United Nations and recent efforts to achieve greater integration in Europe, Africa, and the Americas suggest that while Kant's vision of world federalism is still far from a reality, a federation of like-minded democracies is indeed the best hope for a peaceful world. The evolution toward federalism appears to be taking place, though not as Kant thought it would, because one exemplary republican state has been joined by others. In view of the tensions and violent clashes that have characterized the present century and all those before it, this prospect is bound to promote euphoric expectations because democratic nations have historically not made war upon each other.
