Realism and Idealism in Kant's Theory of the Change of Governments

In discussions about realist and idealist elements in Toward Perpetual Peace, the notion that Kant's reconsideration of the change of governments can equally be explained using the realist-idealist divide is oftentimes overlooked. As Kant breaks with the anakyklosis-tradition, a concept based on the inevitable and predictable change of governments, his idea of open-ended progression toward republican governments suggests an alternative to the unavoidable rise and fall of governments and its realist implications. This idealist approach however remains constrained by the age-old disdain towards democracy. According to Koselleck, it was Kant who by completing the category of forma regiminis with the distinction between different – numerical – forms of government, finally put an end to the circle of governments and replaced it with the idea of linear progression. It is noteworthy however that in his discussion of Kant's Toward Perpetual Peace, the idealist account of democracy as the final end to that circular progression was formulated by Friedrich Schlegel. This paper points out the presence of the realist-idealist divide in Kant's theory of the forms of government: it demonstrates the influence of a realist understanding of regime change inherent in the theory, as well as how the theory at the same time opened the way for an idealist understanding of democracy. In this way the paper will argue that to regard Kant as a straightforward realist is an oversimplification. Firstly, the paper assesses the role Kant plays in contemporary debates about realism and idealism. Secondly, the realist elements in the theories of the cycle of governments will be discussed. Third, Kant’s reformulation of that idea will be addressed with a view to show how he in his theory is able to incorporates both realist and idealist elements.