Hegel, global justice, and mutual recognition

Andrew Buchwalter

pp. 211-232

in: Andrew Buchwalter (ed), Hegel and global justice, Berlin, Springer, 2012

Abstract

In recent years more and more attention has been afforded the role of recognition in Hegel's practical philosophy. For the most part, however, such discussions have focused on Hegel's account of individuals, their identities and their relationships. Less attention has been accorded the value of recognition theory as regards the identity and relations of groups, peoples, and nations. This chapter seeks to fill this lacuna, employing elements of Hegel's theory of recognition and in particular his account of reciprocal recognition to elucidate themes in global justice. Attention is given to four specific topics: the place of national sovereignty in a transnational setting, cosmopolitanism, global distributive justice, and the idea of global community itself. Examining these themes from the perspective of recognition theory facilitates appreciation both of the distinctly Hegelian approach to these issues and the value of Hegelian thought for the general discourse on global justice.

Cited authors

Hegel Georg Wilhelm Friedrich