Since the earth's surface is not unlimited but closed, the concepts of the Right of a state and of a Right of nations lead inevitably to the Idea of a Right for all nations (ius gentium) or cosmopolitan Right (ius cosmopoliticum). So if the principle of outer freedom limited by law is lacking in any of these three possible forms of rightful condition, the framework of all others is unavoidably undermined and must finally collapse.

But the rule for this [cosmopolitan] constitution, as a norm for others, cannot be derived from the experience of those who have hitherto found it most to their advantage … it certainly requires a metaphysics. Even those who ridicule metaphysics admit its necessity, though carelessly, when they say, for example, as they often do: ‘the best constitution is that in which power belongs not to men but to law’. For what can be more metaphysically sublimated than this very Idea?’