Pensare lo Stato mondiale. Un'idea politica tra Otto e Novecento

The idea of a “world state” fascinated — and often divided — philosophers, political scientists, historians, jurists and writers throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This volume traces the emergence, evolution and transformation of a vision that, depending on one’s perspective, appeared either as a utopia of peace, a necessity driven by technological progress, or a radical threat to individual and collective freedom. From the federalist dreams of British imperialism to the cosmopolitan and universalist theories of H. G. Wells and Arnold J. Toynbee; from the totalitarian anticipations of Ernst Jünger to the refined legal thought of Hans Kelsen and Alexandre Kojève; from Carl Schmitt’s radical rejection to the reformist proposals of classical realist authors, the book — through the contributions of scholars from diverse backgrounds — provides a critical map of a vast and multifaceted debate. Rather than a fully formed or immediately attainable political project, the world state emerges as a powerful lens through which to explore the history of ideas, the metamorphoses of sovereignty, and the dilemmas of power in the global age.