The Humble Cosmopolitan
Rights, Diversity, and Trans-state Democracy
Published on 24. January 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-0-19-086951-9 (ISBN)
Description
Is a strong cosmopolitan stance irretrievably arrogant? Cosmopolitanism, which affirms universal moral principles and grants no fundamental moral significance to the state, has become increasingly central to normative political theory. Yet, it has faced persistent claims that it disdains local attachments and cultures, while also seeking the neo-imperialistic imposition of Western moral views on all persons. The critique is said to apply with even greater force to institutional cosmopolitan approaches, which seek the development of global political institutions capable of promoting global aims for human rights, democracy, etc.
This book works to address such objections through developing a novel theory of cosmopolitan political humility. It draws on the work of Indian constitutional architect and social activist B.R. Ambedkar, who cited universal principles of equality and rights in confronting domestic exclusions and the "arrogance" of caste. He sought to advance forms of political humility, or the recognition of equal standing, and openness to input and challenge within political institutions. This book explores how an "institutional global citizenship" approach to cosmopolitanism could similarly promote political humility globally, by supporting the development of democratic input and challenge mechanisms beyond the state. Such developments would challenge an essential political arrogance identified in the current system, where sovereign states are empowered to simply dismiss rights-based challenges from outsiders or their own populations--even as they serve as the designated guarantors of human rights.
The book employs an innovative grounded normative theory method, where extensive original field research informs the development of moral claims. Insights are taken from Dalit activists reaching out to United Nations human rights bodies for support in challenging caste discrimination, and from their critics in the governing Bharatiya Janata Party. Further insights are drawn from Turkish protestors confronting a rising domestic authoritarianism, and from UK Independence Party members demanding "Brexit" from the European Union--in part because predominantly Muslim Turkey could eventually join. Overall, it is shown, an institutional global citizenship approach can inform the development of a global framework which would orient fundamentally to political humility rather than arrogance, and which could significantly advance global rights protections.
This book works to address such objections through developing a novel theory of cosmopolitan political humility. It draws on the work of Indian constitutional architect and social activist B.R. Ambedkar, who cited universal principles of equality and rights in confronting domestic exclusions and the "arrogance" of caste. He sought to advance forms of political humility, or the recognition of equal standing, and openness to input and challenge within political institutions. This book explores how an "institutional global citizenship" approach to cosmopolitanism could similarly promote political humility globally, by supporting the development of democratic input and challenge mechanisms beyond the state. Such developments would challenge an essential political arrogance identified in the current system, where sovereign states are empowered to simply dismiss rights-based challenges from outsiders or their own populations--even as they serve as the designated guarantors of human rights.
The book employs an innovative grounded normative theory method, where extensive original field research informs the development of moral claims. Insights are taken from Dalit activists reaching out to United Nations human rights bodies for support in challenging caste discrimination, and from their critics in the governing Bharatiya Janata Party. Further insights are drawn from Turkish protestors confronting a rising domestic authoritarianism, and from UK Independence Party members demanding "Brexit" from the European Union--in part because predominantly Muslim Turkey could eventually join. Overall, it is shown, an institutional global citizenship approach can inform the development of a global framework which would orient fundamentally to political humility rather than arrogance, and which could significantly advance global rights protections.
Reviews / Votes
In the face of rising populist authoritarianism in various parts of the globe, Luis Cabreras important new book forcefully argues for renewed attention to the project of extending rights-based democratic institutions to the global level. Drawing insights from Ambedkars leadership in drafting the Indian constitution, Cabrera shows how a perspective emphasizing what he calls political humility can address the need to recognize and make space for the diversity of regions, languages, and of people more generally, and can enable new ways to challenge instances of overbearing state power. He successfully merges clear-eyed empirical analyses with a nuanced understanding of democratic norms and lays out the core elements of a new global citizenship that would frame existing contexts of belonging. This book is essential reading in these challenging political times. * Carol C. Gould, Distinguished Professor, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York * In The Humble Cosmopolitan, Luis Cabrera develops theory of cosmopolitanism that respects the struggles of the most marginalized for recognition, inclusion, and equality. He offers a justification of grounded normative theorizing and a model for doing so, using the arguments and ideas from interviews he conducted with a broad range of activists associated with dalit rights, to test, expand, challenge, and interrogate his theory. The theory he develops owes an acknowledged debt to these activists and to B. R. Ambedkars constitutional scholarship and dalit activism. The book is a model of responsible political theory. * Brooke Ackerly, Professor of Political Science, Vanderbilt University * That India's institutions could offer lessons for global institutions is insufficiently highlighted, but not surprising. That one of the founders of the Indian Union could provide cosmopolitanism with the ethical foundations it needs is more astonishing. Yet, this is what this stimulating book argues, while inviting global thinkers to seek inspiration in B.R. Ambedkars humility-focused political philosophy. * Philippe Van Parijs, Faculty of Economic, Social, and Political Sciences, Hoover Chair of Economic and Social Ethics, University of Louvain * The Humble Cosmopolitan, is a remarkable and outstanding contribution to political philosophy: politically relevant, clearly argued, with scrupulous attention to possible objections to the position he presents.Luis Cabreras contribution is not only a prescription, but part of the remedy. * Andreas Follesdal, Professor of Political Philosophy in the Faculty of Law, University of * Cabrera's analysis of the institutional and moral implications of 'humility' and 'arrogance' in the design of the global order is novel and insightful. * Maximillian Afnan, European Journal of Political Theory *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
616 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-086951-9 (9780190869519)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
01/2020
Oxford University Press Inc
€170.80
Shipment within 15-20 days
E-Book
12/2019
OUP eBook
€14.49
Available for download
E-Book
12/2019
OUP eBook
€18.99
Available for download
Person
Luis Cabrera is Associate Professor in the School of Government and International Relations and Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. He has published widely on issues of global justice and ethics, including global citizenship, migration and individual rights, and on the development of more democratically accountable regional and global political institutions. He has conducted related field research in India, Mexico, Southeast Asia, several European Union countries, Turkey, and the United States.
Content
Preface and Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction: Claims of Cosmopolitan Arrogance and Humility
Part I: Configuring Cosmopolitan Humility
Chapter 2: Ambedkar on Political Humility and Challenging Political Arrogance
Chapter 3: Embracing the "Fiction of Equality": Grounding Equal Moral Worth and Categories of Fundamental Rights
Chapter 4: The "Soul of Democracy": Instrumental Justification and Political Humility
Chapter 5: NCDHR's Global Challenge
Chapter 6: The Arrogance of States
Part II Addressing Claims of Cosmopolitan Arrogance
Chapter 7: The Soul of Global Democracy
Chapter 8: Breaking India: Moral Parochialism and Neo-imperialism Objections
Chapter 9: Political Arrogance and National Belonging: UKIP, Turkey and the European Union
Chapter 10: Conclusion
Notes
References
Index
Chapter 1: Introduction: Claims of Cosmopolitan Arrogance and Humility
Part I: Configuring Cosmopolitan Humility
Chapter 2: Ambedkar on Political Humility and Challenging Political Arrogance
Chapter 3: Embracing the "Fiction of Equality": Grounding Equal Moral Worth and Categories of Fundamental Rights
Chapter 4: The "Soul of Democracy": Instrumental Justification and Political Humility
Chapter 5: NCDHR's Global Challenge
Chapter 6: The Arrogance of States
Part II Addressing Claims of Cosmopolitan Arrogance
Chapter 7: The Soul of Global Democracy
Chapter 8: Breaking India: Moral Parochialism and Neo-imperialism Objections
Chapter 9: Political Arrogance and National Belonging: UKIP, Turkey and the European Union
Chapter 10: Conclusion
Notes
References
Index