Global Democracy: The Case for a World Government

by Torbjörn Tännsjö

Overview

Is world government the answer to pressing global issues such as war, global injustices and environmental problems? Torbjörn Tännsjö presents the case for this idea.The notion of a sovereign world government has been defended in the past by philosophers such as Bertrand Russell and A.C. Ewing, but has been eclipsed by less radical ideas to do with peaceful cooperation between sovereign states or, at most, through systems of shared sovereignty. Tännsjö argues that such solutions cannot be effective; moreover he argues, in response to philosophers such as Kant and Rawls, that not only is a world government necessary if we want to solve pressing global problems, it is desirable in its own right.Short, simple to read, and focusing on the key arguments, Global Democracy is intended for anyone who wants to start to think about political solutions to global problems, putting them into a perspective that deserves to be taken seriously.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780748634996
Publisher:	Edinburgh University Press
Publication date:	02/18/2008
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Torbjörn Tännsjö is Kristian Claëson Professor of Practical Philosophy at the Stockholm University

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments; Preface; 1. The Problem; 2. The Argument from Peace; 3. The Argument from Global Justice; 4. The Environment; 5. Democracy; 6. A Roadmap to Global Democracy; 7. Is Global Democracy Desirable?; 8. Conclusion; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

Democratisation must take place at all levels of human society - local, national, regional and global. Torbjörn Tännsjö's book is a contribution to the globalisation of democratisation.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali

The argument is direct, simple (without being simple-minded), and shows how crucially world government affects what we say about global justice, environmental problems, and war. Tännsjö says strikingly, comprehensively, and in a manner that any literate person could grasp, vital things about these matters.

Professor Kai Nielsen