The Humble Cosmopolitan

Rights, Diversity, and Trans-state Democracy

Luis Cabrera

Advances a novel theory of cosmopolitan humility to answer diversity critiques against cosmopolitanism and inform the development of more democratic institutions at the regional and global levels
Employs an innovative grounded normative theory method, drawing insights on cosmopolitan humility and political arrogance from field research in India, Turkey, and the European Union
Demonstrates that the current global system is fundamentally oriented to political arrogance, in much the same way as segregated and exclusionary domestic systems

The Humble Cosmopolitan

Rights, Diversity, and Trans-state Democracy

Luis Cabrera

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.

The Humble Cosmopolitan

Rights, Diversity, and Trans-state Democracy

Luis Cabrera

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

The Humble Cosmopolitan

Rights, Diversity, and Trans-state Democracy

Luis Cabrera

Author Information

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.

The Humble Cosmopolitan

Rights, Diversity, and Trans-state Democracy

Luis Cabrera

Reviews and Awards

Honorable Mention from the International Studies Association International Ethics Section Best Book Award

"This is a remarkable and outstanding contribution to political philosophy: politically relevant, clearly argued, with scrupulous attention to possible objections. Cabrera's contribution is not only a prescription, but part of the remedy."-Andreas Follesdal, University of Oslo

"Cabrera 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, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York

"Cabrera develops a theory of cosmopolitanism that respects the struggles of the most marginalized for recognition, inclusion, and equality. The book is a model of responsible political theory."-Brooke Ackerly, 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. Ambedkar's humility-focused political philosophy." -Philippe Van Parijs, University of Louvain