 The details of the development toward the peaceful federation are given by Kant's universal history.  This narrative is presented as, at best, consistent with empirical evidence.  Kant argues that, for the most part, human psychology and the natural environment, rather than human reason, could have driven the human race forward. First, he attributes progress to the “unsocial sociability” (1784, 44) of human beings.  Humans are social because they cannot develop their capabilities in isolation.  Yet they are unsocial because they always want to get their own way.  These characteristics lead them to form associations in which all vie for “status” (1784, 44).  These associations are the seeds of republics.  But progressive human activity need not be lacking in awareness.  Kant maintains that a philosophy of progress can accelerate progress (1784, 51). 