Justice across Boundaries: Whose Obligations?

Description

Who ought to do what, and for whom, if global justice is to progress? In this collection of essays on justice beyond borders, Onora O'Neill criticises theoretical approaches that concentrate on rights, yet ignore both the obligations that must be met to realise those rights, and the capacities needed by those who shoulder these obligations. She notes that states are profoundly anti-cosmopolitan institutions, and that even those committed to justice and universal rights often lack the competence and the will to secure them, let alone to secure them beyond their borders. She argues for a wider conception of global justice, in which obligations may be held either by states or by competent non-state actors, and in which borders themselves must meet standards of justice. This rich and wide-ranging collection will appeal to a broad array of academic researchers and advanced students of political philosophy, political theory, international relations and philosophy of law.

Onora O'Neill, Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve, is a former Principal of Newnham College, Cambridge. She sits as a cross-bench peer in the House of Lords and is Emeritus Honorary Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. She has published widely on Kant's philosophy and her most recent publications include Acting on Principle, 2nd edition (Cambridge, 2013).

'Onora O'Neill combines the most rigorous philosophical thinking with a rare capacity for judgment in order to address some of the deepest challenges of our age. Her essays are essential reading not only for philosophers and political theorists but for all those concerned about the prospects of justice on our planet.' John Tasioulas, King's College London 'Onora O'Neill's moral and political philosophy has guided generations of scholars, practitioners and policy makers. This collection of important papers displays the integrity, rigour, breadth and arc of her thought over four decades. One cannot read this definitive work without concluding that she has torn down false boundaries and built firmer foundations for justice in a world of increasing complexity.' Andrew Kuper, Founder, LeapFrog Investments 'A distinguished philosopher with a deep understanding of the real world of politics and professional practice, Onora O'Neill has been enriching and guiding our discourses on justice for over forty years. Amply demonstrating her practical wisdom and sound judgment, this wonderful collection displays her intellectual trajectory and the central insights that unify her thinking about human rights and responsibilities.' Thomas Pogge, Yale University, Connecticut 'Onora O'Neill combines the most rigorous philosophical thinking with a rare capacity for judgement in order to address some of the deepest challenges of our age. Her essays are essential reading, not only for philosophers and political theorists but for all those concerned about the prospects of justice on our planet.' John Tasioulas, King's College London