POLSC402: Global Justice

3.1: Nationalism and Patriotism Objections to Global Justice

• 3.1.1: Nationalism

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Joshua Cohen's "Comments on National Self-Determination" URL

    Read these lecture notes.

  • Ethics & Global Politics: Nils Holtug's "The Cosmopolitan Strikes Back: a Critical Discussion of Miller on Nationality and Global Equality" URL

    Read this article. Holtug is critical of Miller's approach to global justice and offers a stance grounded in global egalitarianism. Thus, nationality becomes less of a defining factor for the pursuit of global justice.

  • Ethics & Global Politics: David Miller's "On Nationality and Global Equality: a Reply to Holtug" URL

    Read this article. Like Walzer and Sandel, Miller emphasizes the importance of nationality as central to the identity of the individual and makes the case for giving priority to nationalist sentiments over sentiments spanning larger scopes when considering principles of justice.

• 3.1.2: Patriotism

  • Social Theory and Practice: Eamonn Callan's "Love, Idolatry, and Patriotism" URL

    Read this article, which makes the case that patriotism not only is constitutive of our identity, but patriotism is, or at least can be, virtuous. 

  • The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Igor Primoratz's "Patriotism" URL

    Read this article. The author calls attention to the relative novelty of 'patriotism' in philosophical discourse. In considering the readings so far in this unit, think about the relationship between patriotism and global justice. Is patriotism conducive to global justice, or is it perhaps an impediment to global justice?

  • : Martha C. Nussbaum's "Patriotism and Cosmopolitanism" URL

    Read Nussbaum's cautionary reflections on patriotism and cosmopolitanism. She argues in favor of a cosmopolitan orientation to self-identification as opposed to one grounded in nationalist and patriotic ideals. Pay close attention to her line of reasoning and the ways she applies this differentiation to education. Carefully consider the argument and attempt to ascertain your position on this issue. Is cosmopolitanism or patriotism more conducive for global justice? Why?