Abstract

Kelsen’s work, from the first writings to at least the second edition of the Pure Theory of Law, is crossed by a concern about the evolution of law. Although he abandons the expression Civitas Maxima, he constantly refers to the possibility of a future world state. This work aims to analyze his conception of legal science in the light of a philosophy of history that, even if it was never explicitly developed, seems to be necessary to explain what he prophesizes about the future of international community. Such analysis is based on Hermann Cohen’s work, whose concept of humanity does suggest a messianic reading of Kelsen’s conception of international community.