Beyond a mere adjective: what does it mean to say that "human rights" is a Kantian issue in International Relations?

Abstract

In the literature about Human Rights and International Relations is common to find the assertion that human rights are a Kantian’s issue. But the inclusion of the concept of human rights is not only a characterization, this statement refers to the complex framework theoretical proposed by Kant. The analysis of this assertion depends on prior discussions of this framework. Understanding the relationship between human rights and international relations depends on Kant's understanding of the distinction between Law and Moral and the categorical imperative. Based upon these arguments the question of Cosmopolitanism emerge, in which the interface between Human Rights and International Relations is more present in Kant, enabling an analysis and a more reasoned assessment of the claim that human rights constitute a Kantian’s issue in International Relations.