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Cosmopolitanism after 9/11

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Abstract

Thinking about the future of humankind and the basis of political association in the early years of the twenty-first century does not give grounds for optimism. In particular, 9/11 has become a moment associated with a return to empire, geopolitics, political violence and the primacy of sovereignty. Yet, it is easy to overstate the meaning of 9/11 and exaggerate from one set of historical experiences. This article explores the ways in which the twentieth century set down key political and legal ‘cosmopolitian steps’ toward a transformation of the global order. These steps are explored and defended, and it is shown how they created the grounds for a very different response to 9/11 to the one persued by President Bush and Prime Minister Blair. Although clearly this opportunity has been temporarily lost, the failure of the Blair–Bush War on Terror reaffirms strong reasons for further developing a cosmopolitian global order.

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Acknowledgements

This text was presented as a plenary lecture at the Political Studies Association, Manchester, 8 April 2009.

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Held, D. Cosmopolitanism after 9/11. Int Polit 47, 52–61 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1057/ip.2009.27

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