Overview

In these two important lectures, distinguished political philosopher Seyla Benhabib argues that since the UN Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, we have entered a phase of global civil society which is governed by cosmopolitan norms of universal justice--norms which are difficult for some to accept as legitimate since they are sometimes in conflict with democratic ideals. In her first lecture, Benhabib argues that this tension can never be fully resolved, but it can be mitigated through the renegotiation of the dual commitments to human rights and sovereign self-determination. Her second lecture develops this idea in detail, with special reference to recent developments in Europe (for example, the banning of Muslim head scarves in France). The EU has seen the replacement of the traditional unitary model of citizenship with a new model that disaggregates the components of traditional citizenship, making it possible to be a citizen of multiple entities at the same time. The volume also contains a substantive introduction by Robert Post, the volume editor, and contributions by Bonnie Honig (Northwestern University), Will Kymlicka (Queens University), and Jeremy Waldron (Columbia School of Law).

Full Product Details

9780195183221

Table of Contents

Reviews

this volume provides a sophisticated analysis of the concept and one of its major problems, and so is a valuable addition to the literature...[Benhabib] has successfully argued that the scope of the moral conversation needs to be universal...given the short length of the volume, it is on the whole a benefit that Benhabib and her commentators explore in such detail one important issue which faces liberal democratic cosmopolitan theorists. Megan Kime, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice [this] book provides an original contribution to the flourishing literature on cosmopolitanism and human rights. Those familiar with this literature will find the insights of the book refreshing. It will also be of interest, however, for the more general audience of those troubled by the democratic credentials of international law and human rights. Andras Miklos, European Political Science

this volume provides a sophisticated analysis of the concept and one of its major problems, and so is a valuable addition to the literature...[Benhabib] has successfully argued that the scope of the moral conversation needs to be universal...given the short length of the volume, it is on the whole a benefit that Benhabib and her commentators explore in such detail one important issue which faces liberal democratic cosmopolitan theorists. Megan Kime, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice [this] book provides an original contribution to the flourishing literature on cosmopolitanism and human rights. Those familiar with this literature will find the insights of the book refreshing. It will also be of interest, however, for the more general audience of those troubled by the democratic credentials of international law and human rights. Andras Miklos, European Political Science

This is an exceptionally demanding book. It deserves to be read by serious students of political theory and cosmopolitan thought. --Michael Blake, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews This is an exceptionally demanding book. It deserves to be read by serious students of political theory and cosmopolitan thought. --Michael Blake, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Author Information

Seyla Benhabib is Eugene Meyer Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at Yale University.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available