Kant and systemic theory: a reply to Weber

Extract

I would like to thank Martin Weber for his interesting and thoughtful response to my article ‘Waltz, Kant and Systemic Approaches To International Relations’. I am aware of the intrinsically controversial nature of any comparison of Waltz and Kant, and am therefore grateful for the opportunity to respond formally to the criticisms that Weber makes. Weber raises doubts about interpreting Kant as a systems theorist, interpreting Kant as advocating a scientific approach, and my understanding of the role of world society in Kant's account of international relations respectively. I will respond to these criticisms in the order that the original article dealt with these three issues, dealing with Kant as a social scientist first before discussing international systems and the role of world society in Kant's theory.