From Rightful Condition to State in the Idea — The Dynamics of Kant’s Theory of State

In my paper, I propose an interpretation of Kant’s theory of state as a dynamic project, which rests on the idea of progress from ‘minimum conditions of justice’ expressed in the idea of ‘rightful condition’ towards a (regulative in its function) ‘state in the idea’ as a perfect fulfilment of requirements of reason. Kant’s philosophy of state, developed in Metaphysics of Morals as well as other minor works, might initially be conceived as static, as in its metaphysical structure the reason gives a priori all the requirements for justice. Nevertheless, a closer analysis reveals a broad range of possible ‘stages’ of political progress, which can be considered as legal states, even though they do not fully carry out the commands of practical reason. It is so, because any state, which secures a rightful condition, is a legal person and therefore cannot be annihilated neither by internal nor an external force. At the same time, every state has a duty to reform itself and (at the end of the process) to become a perfect republic. All the stages of this progress, from ‘merely’ a state into a perfect state give space for politics, which is understood as ‘practicing justice’. Therefore, Kant not only gives us the final vision of what is right and just, but also gives account of the process of achieving the ideal. According to this interpretation, Kant’s theory manages to preserve a certain dynamism, while never having to compromise the a priori commands of practical reason.