This volume makes a challenging critique of the idea of Cosmopolis- that is, the idea of world or 'global' government. In recentyears this idea has been put forward as a way of averting thethreat of war and international disorder, and as a way of avoidingthe destruction of the planet. Proponents of this idea call for aradical reform of the United Nations which aims to legitimize thisinstitution as an international police force and as a provider ofglobal justice.
Zolo criticizes this new cosmopolitan philosophy and rejects theidea of trying to eliminate international conflict through the useof centralized and superior military force. He seeks instead todevelop a conception of international relations which takes accountof their pluralistic, dynamic and conflictual nature. Thisconception moves away from the logic of hierarchicalcentralization, which so dominates the UN Charter, and towards thelogic of 'weak interventionism' and 'weak pacifism' which relies onself-organization, co-ordination and negotiation.
Timely, provocative and iconoclastic, Cosmopolis is animportant contribution to current debates in politics,international relations and social and political theory.
Danilo Zolo
Philosophie Philosophy Political & Economic Philosophy Political Philosophy & Theory Political Science Political Sociology Politikwissenschaft Politische Philosophie u. Politiktheorie Politische Soziologie Politische u. Ökonomische Philosophie Sociology Soziologie
'A provocative and convincing argument.' Foreign Affairs
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