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Beyond Liberal Nationalism? Jurgen Habermas' Theory of Cosmopolitanism
Unformatted Document Text:  1 Beyond liberal nationalism: Jürgen Habermas on cosmopolitan justice Robert Fine and Will Smith This presentation is a shortened and revised version of a paper published in Constellations 10,4, 2003 called ‘Jürgen Habermas’s Theory of Cosmopolitanism’ In a series of articles written in the post-1989 period, Habermas argues that the challenges posed by the catastrophes of the twentieth century and by social forces of globalisation have given new impetus to the idea of cosmopolitan justice that Kant first expressed. He affirms that, if we are to grapple with the complexities of present-day problems, we cannot simply repeat Kant’s eighteenth century vision but that we should take up the challenge posed by Karl-Otto Apel: to ‘think with Kant against Kant’ in reconstructing the cosmopolitan idea. What follows in this presentation is a critical assessment of Habermas’ response to this challenge. First, we focus on the dilemmas he faces in reconciling his cosmopolitanism with the national framework in which he developed his ideas of constitutional patriotism and deliberative democracy. Second, we examine how he responds to these difficulties by exploring the potential of transnational democratic institutions and communities. Finally, we analyse Habermas’ belief that the European Union, with its distinctive political form and life- world, can be seen as bearer of cosmopolitan values in the modern world. Constitutional patriotism and cosmopolitanism Any political theorist who advocates a form of cosmopolitan politics knows that he or she will have to face a daunting question relating to both the desirability and feasibility of their proposals: how can a normative perspective recommending a cosmopolitan form of solidarity, with institutions to match, be reconciled with the existence of existing national communities in such a way as to achieve stability and justice? In the work of Habermas we find more ambivalence than is immediately apparent. One response he makes is to affirm a willingness to override national sovereignty in the name of cosmopolitan justice. Here appeal is made to

Authors: Fine, Robert. and Smith, Will.
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Beyond liberal nationalism: Jürgen Habermas on cosmopolitan justice
Robert Fine and Will Smith
This presentation is a shortened and revised version of a paper published in
Constellations 10,4, 2003 called ‘Jürgen Habermas’s Theory of Cosmopolitanism’
In a series of articles written in the post-1989 period, Habermas argues that the challenges
posed by the catastrophes of the twentieth century and by social forces of globalisation have
given new impetus to the idea of cosmopolitan justice that Kant first expressed. He affirms
that, if we are to grapple with the complexities of present-day problems, we cannot simply
repeat Kant’s eighteenth century vision but that we should take up the challenge posed by
Karl-Otto Apel: to ‘think with Kant against Kant’ in reconstructing the cosmopolitan idea.
What follows in this presentation is a critical assessment of Habermas’ response to this
challenge. First, we focus on the dilemmas he faces in reconciling his cosmopolitanism with
the national framework in which he developed his ideas of constitutional patriotism and
deliberative democracy. Second, we examine how he responds to these difficulties by
exploring the potential of transnational democratic institutions and communities. Finally, we
analyse Habermas’ belief that the European Union, with its distinctive political form and life-
world, can be seen as bearer of cosmopolitan values in the modern world.
Constitutional patriotism and cosmopolitanism
Any political theorist who advocates a form of cosmopolitan politics knows that he or she will
have to face a daunting question relating to both the desirability and feasibility of their
proposals: how can a normative perspective recommending a cosmopolitan form of solidarity,
with institutions to match, be reconciled with the existence of existing national communities
in such a way as to achieve stability and justice? In the work of Habermas we find more
ambivalence than is immediately apparent. One response he makes is to affirm a willingness
to override national sovereignty in the name of cosmopolitan justice. Here appeal is made to


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