ABSTRACT
Michael Doyle argues that Immanuel Kant's theories of international relations and history have been borne out by events. This chapter examines Kant's philosophy at some length and considers Doyle's use of it. It presents Kant's moral claims that people ought to instate governments that respect personal liberty and that they ought to seek peace among nations. The chapter suggests that the US bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 was an event comparable in certain important respects to the French Revolution. It argues that Kant's claim that peace is the end of history is highly dubious if it is taken to mean that circumstances will conspire to bring about an enduring peace. Thus, self-interest supports the rise of liberal democracy; liberal democracy allows a self-interested citizenry to limit its government's military options, thereby compelling its government to pursue diplomatic settlements; and ultimately a global pacific union emerges.
