4 - Lasting peace
Summary
We must resort to force only in case we may not avail ourselves of discussion. The only excuse for going to war is that we may live in peace unharmed; and when the victory is won, we should spare those who have not been blood-thirsty and barbarous in their warfare.
(Cicero, De Officiis I.x, in May et al. 2006: 5–7)In this chapter, I propose to discuss the following features of cosmopolitanism outlined at the end of the Introduction:
(13) acknowledging the sovereignty of nation-states while insisting on limitations to that sovereignty in order to secure human rights and global justice;
(14) quest for lasting world peace;
(15) respect for the right to self-determination of peoples;
(16) preparedness to prosecute crimes against humanity internationally.
These features alter the focus of our considerations. Whereas the previous three chapters discussed the personal ethical stances that a cosmopolitan adopts towards others as individuals, this and the next chapter will discuss cosmopolitan ideals and attitudes towards states, international relations and global institutions. These ideals and attitudes require individuals – especially those who exercise political, economic and social power – to adopt and pursue responsible positions towards the relations between states and other transnational actors on the world stage. How should states behave towards each other? Are they permitted to seek their advantage by force of arms or by dishonouring international agreements?
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- CosmopolitanismA Philosophy for Global Ethics, pp. 111 - 140Publisher: Acumen PublishingPrint publication year: 2009