Covenant of the League of Nations, 1919

“In order to promote international co-operation and to achieve international peace and security

  • by the acceptance of obligations not to resort to war,
  • by the prescription of open, just and honorable relations between nations,
  • by the firm establishment of the understandings of international law as the actual rule of conduct among Governments, and
  • by the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous respect for all treaty obligations in the dealings of organized peoples with one another,

Agree to this Covenant of the League of Nations.”1

The above quote demonstrates the purpose of the League of Nations—an international confederation which was dedicated to creating international peace. This demonstrates how Kant’s political philosophy—from the language to the framework of the organization—were applied to try and create a means of preventing another world war. While it was ultimately unsuccessful, it shows movement toward promoting a peace that would protect all people and their rights.

1. League of Nations, Covenant of the League of Nations, -, 28 April 1919, https://www.refworld.org/legal/constinstr/lon/1919/en/17145