Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The paper’s methodological approach is foundational in the political, not epistemological or metaphysical sense. In other words, it is constitutional. Its underlying assumption is that an equitable distribution of resources between human individuals has to be based on the political empowerment of individuals through voting rights, political institution-building and economic liberties. This in turn is only possible within a constitutional framework. In a dynamic political world of refugees, economic migrants, tourists, business travelers and foreign investors, but also citizens and states (with market economies under the imperative of growth), this calls for a dynamic and transformative concept of political justice which I call “procedural cosmopolitanism”. I try to justify it with an orignal position that combines individual citizens' and state representatives. The political form through which it can become operational might be called “multilateral democracy”.
Procedural cosmopolitanism and the concept of multilateral democracy can become operational by differentiated rational delegation of powers to supranational and intergovernmental bodies, ratified and controlled through democratic procedures in division of labor between democratic nation-states. Its realization can be extremely slow, gradual and functionally differentiated, as long as the principle of realization of political empowerment of all human individuals remains the ultimate goal. The rational theory of such (in principle cosmopolitan) integration based on the cooperation game shows that it actually works when a powerful nation-state takes the lead and offers its standards to others in return for a limited and functionally differentiated delegation of sovereignty to a supranational or intergovernmental body. Such delegation can only take place in a legitimate way among democratic countries and the supranational and intergovernmental institutions have to be structured according to democratic principles of accountability and representation. Democratic nation-building and statehood remain thus the preconditions of multilateral democracy. In the mean time, aid and relief remain extremely important as well as non-democratic international organizations and regimes who guarantee a minimal order. However, global political action has to aim towards a transformation of the system into a multilateral democratic order.