S1210 Multiculturalism and Global Governance (S1210)

Migration has become an issue of some concern for many western societies. However, migration from southern regions to northern countries, while looming large in public discussions, is only one facet of international migration and it is, arguably, not even the most pressing.

Nonetheless, migration does pose challenges for states and their authorities as well as for the international community, although it is far from clear what kinds of challenges or problems we really face. Is it just economic needs which cause migration? Is there a genuine desire for political freedom? To what extent may people claim at all a right to migrate? Do nation-states, on the other hand, have a right to restrict migration on the basis of their sovereignty?

An array of answers to these questions draws on recent conceptions of cosmopolitanism (Kwame Anthony Appiah). These, in turn, depend on a prior understanding of cultural identity, and thus we find issues of multiculturalism and cultural identity at the center of the quest for good global governance and global justice. The controversy revolves around the concept of a person as the primary political unit where a person is supposed to be a member of different social groups, thereby partaking in their respective cultures.

The course will approach these discussions mainly on the basis of two books, Amartya Sen's “Identity and Violence”, which defends a liberal outlook, and Kwame Anthony Appiah's “Cosmopolitanism. Ethics in a World of Strangers” which tries to develop an understanding of cosmopolitanism or 'world citizenship'. While both authors reject the idea of a 'clash of civilizations'  they both complement each other.

Student presentations will provide further background for discussions are an essential part of the course work.

Learning Outcomes

The course's objective is to lead to an improved and deepened understanding of cultural identity and cultural differences on the basis of ethical argumentation. The focus will be on the ethics of personhood.

Teaching and Evaluation Methods