Abstract

These reflexions treat in a kantian sence the question whether a world wide order of peace requires a world state or must be constituted as a federale order of states. They start from freedom as an essential capability of man und a right to freedom compatible with the freedom of all others. It is shown that this right includes the right to associate with others, also to constitute states as original political communities. In consequence the right to freedom demands a multitude of states and the right of states to existence. Therefor the constitution of one global state would contradict to the principle of freedom. In so far the demand “exeundum e statu naturali” must be realized by an order of federated states so that the existence of every state is mutually recognized, but on the global level the union of states has no statelike charakter and centralized coercive power. To preserve the independence (autonomie) of every state and the multitude of states this order must have a structure of graduate federality in the sence that the fundemental competences of states must be preserved themore the larger the arae of the union of states extends. In this respect cosmopolitism has to be developed in the frame of an order of gradually federated states. Normative practical reason and the principle of freedom does not - in spite of the demand “exeundum e statu naturali” - justify a statelike global order.