Globalization and Global Justice
Shrinking Distance, Expanding Obligations

This book shows how globalization shrinks distance, thereby expanding international obligations to aid the poor and make free trade fair.

Nicole Hassoun (Author)

9781107424920, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 July 2014

248 pages, 6 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.34 kg

'Hassoun's analysis of international poverty is original, striking, and powerful; if she is right, then we have strong reasons to think that the world we have helped build is a very unjust place indeed. Her work should be read by anyone interested in how we ought to think about human rights in a globalizing world.' Michael Blake, University of Washington

The face of the world is changing. The past century has seen the incredible growth of international institutions. How does the fact that the world is becoming more interconnected change institutions' duties to people beyond borders? Does globalization alone engender any ethical obligations? In Globalization and Global Justice, Nicole Hassoun addresses these questions and advances a new argument for the conclusion that there are significant obligations to the global poor. First, she argues that there are many coercive international institutions and that these institutions must provide the means for their subjects to avoid severe poverty. Hassoun then considers the case for aid and trade, and concludes with a new proposal for fair trade in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Globalization and Global Justice will appeal to readers in philosophy, politics, economics and public policy.

Part I: Introduction: globalization and global justice
1. The human rights argument
2. The coercive global institutional system
3. Legitimacy and global justice
Part II: Introduction to Part II: seeing the water for the sea
4. Libertarian obligations to the poor?
5. Empirical evidence and the case for foreign aid
6. Free trade and poverty
7. Making free trade fair
Conclusion: expanding obligations.

Subject Areas: Political economy [KCP], Political science & theory [JPA], Globalization [JFFS], Social & political philosophy [HPS]