Humble Cosmopolitan - by Luis Cabrera (Paperback)

About the Book

Critics of a cosmopolitan moral approach often assert that it is arrogant, giving too little attention to non-universalist moral understandings and local attachments. This book argues that a cosmopolitanism focused on advancing democratic citizenship within regional and ultimately global institutions will orient instead to political humility, or the affirmation of equal status and openness to input and challenge. It also works to show that it is the current global system, where sovereign states can summarily dismiss rights-based challenges from outsiders or their own populations, which is fundamentally oriented to arrogance. The book's arguments are centrally informed by the work of Indian constitutional architect and anti-caste campaigner B.R. Ambedkar, who sought to advance political humility against the "arrogance" of caste discrimination. Insights also are drawn from extensive field research among Indian activists reaching out to United Nations human rights bodies in their struggle against continuing cast discrimination, as well as cases in Turkey and the UK.

Book Synopsis

Is a strong cosmopolitan stance irretrievably arrogant? Cosmopolitanism, which affirms universal moral principles and grants no fundamental moral significance to the state, has become increasingly central to normative political theory. Yet, it has faced persistent claims that it disdains local attachments and cultures, while also seeking the neo-imperialistic imposition of Western moral views on all persons. The critique is said to apply with even greater force to institutional cosmopolitan approaches, which seek the development of global political institutions capable of promoting global aims for human rights, democracy, etc.

This book works to address such objections through developing a novel theory of cosmopolitan political humility. It draws on the work of Indian constitutional architect and social activist B.R. Ambedkar, who cited universal principles of equality and rights in confronting domestic exclusions and the "arrogance" of caste. He sought to advance forms of political humility, or the recognition of equal standing, and openness to input and challenge within political institutions. This book explores how an "institutional global citizenship" approach to cosmopolitanism could similarly promote political humility globally, by supporting the development of democratic input and challenge mechanisms beyond the state. Such developments would challenge an essential political arrogance identified in the current system, where sovereign states are empowered to simply dismiss rights-based challenges from outsiders or their own populations--even as they serve as the designated guarantors of human rights.

The book employs an innovative grounded normative theory method, where extensive original field research informs the development of moral claims. Insights are taken from Dalit activists reaching out to United Nations human rights bodies for support in challenging caste discrimination, and from their critics in the governing Bharatiya Janata Party. Further insights are drawn from Turkish protestors confronting a rising domestic authoritarianism, and from UK Independence Party members demanding "Brexit" from the European Union--in part because predominantly Muslim Turkey could eventually join. Overall, it is shown, an institutional global citizenship approach can inform the development of a global framework which would orient fundamentally to political humility rather than arrogance, and which could significantly advance global rights protections.

Review Quotes

"In the face of rising populist authoritarianism in various parts of the globe, Luis Cabrera's important new book forcefully argues for renewed attention to the project of extending rights-based democratic institutions to the global level. Drawing insights from Ambedkar's leadership in drafting the Indian constitution, Cabrera shows how a perspective emphasizing what he calls political humility can address the need to recognize and make space for the diversity of regions, languages, and of people more generally, and can enable new ways to challenge instances of overbearing state power. He successfully merges clear-eyed empirical analyses with a nuanced understanding of democratic norms and lays out the core elements of a new global citizenship that would frame existing contexts of belonging. This book is essential reading in these challenging political times." -- Carol C. Gould, Distinguished Professor, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York

"In THe Humble Cosmopolitan, Luis Cabrera develops theory of cosmopolitanism that respects the struggles of the most marginalized for recognition, inclusion, and equality. He offers a justification of grounded normative theorizing and a model for doing so, using the arguments and ideas from interviews he conducted with a broad range of activists associated with dalit rights, to test, expand, challenge, and interrogate his theory. The theory he develops owes an acknowledged debt to these activists and to B. R. Ambedkarâs constitutional scholarship and dalit activism. The book is a model of responsible political theory." -- Brooke Ackerly, Professor of Political Science, Vanderbilt University

"That India's institutions could offer lessons for global institutions is insufficiently highlighted, but not surprising. That one of the founders of the Indian Union could provide cosmopolitanism with the ethical foundations it needs is more astonishing. Yet, this is what this stimulating book argues, while inviting global thinkers to seek inspiration in B.R. Ambedkar's humility-focused political philosophy." -- Philippe Van Parijs, Faculty of Economic, Social, and Political Sciences, Hoover Chair of Economic and Social Ethics, University of Louvain

"The Humble Cosmopolitan, is a remarkable and outstanding contribution to political philosophy: politically relevant, clearly argued, with scrupulous attention to possible objections to the position he presents...Luis Cabreraâs contribution is not only a prescription, but part of the remedy." -- Andreas Follesdal, Professor of Political Philosophy in the Faculty of Law, University of

"This is a remarkable and outstanding contribution to political philosophy: politically relevant, clearly argued, with scrupulous attention to possible objections. Cabrera's contribution is not only a prescription, but part of the remedy."-Andreas Follesdal, University of Oslo

"Cabrera successfully merges clear-eyed empirical analyses with a nuanced understanding of democratic norms and lays out the core elements of a new global citizenship that would frame existing contexts of belonging. This book is essential reading in these challenging political times."-Carol C. Gould, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York

"Cabrera develops a theory of cosmopolitanism that respects the struggles of the most marginalized for recognition, inclusion, and equality. The book is a model of responsible political theory."-Brooke Ackerly, Vanderbilt University

"That India's institutions could offer lessons for global institutions is insufficiently highlighted, but not surprising. That one of the founders of the Indian Union could provide cosmopolitanism with the ethical foundations it needs is more astonishing. Yet, this is what this stimulating book argues, while inviting global thinkers to seek inspiration in B.R. Ambedkar's humility-focused political philosophy." -Philippe Van Parijs, University of Louvain

About the Author

Luis Cabrera is Associate Professor in the School of Government and International Relations and Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. He has published widely on issues of global justice and ethics, including global citizenship, migration and individual rights, and on the development of more democratically accountable regional and global political institutions. He has conducted related field research in India, Mexico, Southeast Asia, several European Union countries, Turkey, and the United States.