The Law of Peoples

The Law of Peoples is American Philosopher John Rawls's work on international relations. First published in 1993 as a short article, in 1999, was joined with another essay "The Idea of Public Reason Revisted" to form a full length book. The Law of Peoples examines the state of nature between nations. Rawls applies a modified verision of his original position thought experiment to international relations. Rawls says that people, not states, form the basic unit that should be examined. Groups of people forming states should be encouraged to follow the principles from Rawls's earlier A Theory of Justice. Democracy seems like it would be the most logical means accomplishing these goals, but begnin non-democracies should also be seen as acceptable at the international stage. Rawls develops eight principles for how people should act on an international stage:

Related Topics:
American - Philosopher - John Rawls - 1993 - 1999 - State of nature - Original position - International relations - A Theory of Justice - Democracy

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• "People (as organized by their government) are free and independent, and their freedom and independence is too be respected by other peoples."
  
• "Peoples are equal and parties to their own agreements."
  
• "Peoples have the right of self-defense but no right to war."
  
• "Peoples are to observe a duty of non-intervention."
  
• "Peoples are to observe treaties and undertakings."
  
• "Peoples are to observe certain specified restrictions on the conduct of war (assumed to be in self-defense)."
  
• "Peoples are to honor human rights."{{ref|1993list}}
• "Peoples have a duty to assist other peoples living under unfavorable conditions that prevent their having a just or decent political and social regime."{{ref|eigth}}
 
The Law of Peoples: Notes ►