Kant’s Political Legacy

"Readers of this journal are most interested in the historical side. Judging simply on that criterion, Carenti’s book is noteworthy. Stepping back to include his mastery of and contribution to contemporary debate makes the book even more valuable."

"In his latest book, Luigi Caranti writes clearly and with insight not only about the legacy of Kant’s political philosophy, but also about our present political condition and the painful gap between the two. Arguing that Kant correctly interpreted can in fact offer better concrete guidance for political action in today’s world than many of his foes as well as friends realize, this is a work from which all thoughtful readers concerned with reducing injustice will benefit."

"Luigi Caranti demonstrates the importance of Kant’s political philosophy for today’s world.  His defense of Kant’s rigorous commitment to the principle of the supreme value of personal freedom, combined with his need for sensitivity in the application of this fundamental principle, should be a lesson not just for Kant scholars and political philosophers, but for politicians and citizens throughout the world."
 

"Kant’s political thought, as contained in a series of books and essays from the 1780s and 1790s, combines a primarily juridical perspective on the norms of civic life with a focus on the conditions of political progress toward equal freedom. Luigi Caranti’s book on Kant’s lasting legacy in political philosophy builds on recent international scholarship in the field, while seeking to extend the appeal of Kant’s thinking to contemporary political issues and concerns. Concentrating on three central interrelated topics (human rights, world peace and political progress), Caranti manages to move Kantian political thought from the level of abstract principles to the sphere of concrete political precepts. In the process, Kant emerges as a significant resource for current political theory and practice."