Overview

Critical Rationalism and Globalization addresses how the access to critical reason enables people to shape a new social order on a global scale. This book demonstrates how the philosophy of critical rationalism contributes to the sociology of Globalization, through uncovering the role of critical reason in arriving at an agreement on common values and institutions on a global scale. It discusses how value consensus on the institutions of sovereignty and inter–state law has prepared the ground for the rise of a global system of national societies after the end of World War II. Masoud Alamuti argues that uneven openness of national economies to global trade and investment should be comprehended in the framework of the post–war legal and political context. Using the concept of rationality as openness to criticism, the book proposes a normative theory of open global society in order to show that the existing value consensus on the cult of sovereignty suffers from the recognition of the possibility of rational dialogue among competing ways of the good life. Masoud Alamuti argues that once the people of the world, across national communities, open their fundamental ways of the good life to mutual criticism, they can create common global values necessary for the rise of a just social order on a global scale. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of Globalization Studies, Global Sociology and International Relations.

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9780415644020

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Reviews

Masoud Alamuti's highly original study of globalization is remarkable for its breadth of vision and for its skilful integration of sociological theory and normative argument. His controversial thesis that critical rationalism can lead us to an open global society that is both peaceful and just is a much-needed antidote to the pessimism that globalization so often attracts. Peter Jones, Emeritus Professor of Political Philosophy, Newcastle University, UK. This important book boldly blends critical rationalism with social theory to arrive at a powerful defense of openness to individual and collective learning as a key to conceiving and devising a just order for the emergent global society. One can only hope that readers will resist any temptations to dismiss Masoud Alamuti's ideas as overly idealistic or unrealistic. If they do, they can benefit enormously from an author who challenges us to reconsider long-standing, but increasingly anachronistic and/or normatively dubious understandings of society, national sovereignty, and tolerance. Another virtue of his book is that it goes beyond critiquing the existing order of interstate-relations, outlining the contours of an admittedly radical, yet arguably more humane alternative. I highly recommend this timely, thought-provoking contribution to an evolving debate. Volker H. Schmidt, Professor of Sociology, National University of Singapore.

Author Information

Masoud Mohammadi Alamuti is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the Institute for Management and Planning Studies (IMPS), in Tehran, Iran.

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