Introduction to Political Theory

argue, morally and intellectually unsustainable. The second position – particularism

• maintains the discrepancy is justifiable because universalism is, at a basic level,
  false. The third position – the ‘political conception’ – recognises the force of
  universalist arguments but claims that morality has different levels and the fact that
  in a nation-state we are subject to coercive authority generates special duties in the
  domestic sphere that have no global equivalents.

Questions

1. Are national boundaries morally arbitrary?


2. In a world of self-subsistent – autarkic – states, would the rich have any
   obligations to the poor?


3. Should a state have full rights to benefit from natural resources located in its
   territory?


4. Does coercion make a difference to our moral duties?

References

Beitz, C. (1999) Political Theory and International RelationsPrinceton, NJ: Princeton

University Press.

Hare, R. (1989) Essays on Political MoralityOxford: Clarendon Press.

MacIntyre, A. (1995) ‘Is Patriotism a Virtue?’ in R. Beiner (ed.) Theorizing Citizenship

Albany: State University of New York Press.

Miller, D. (1995) On NationalityOxford: Clarendon Press.

Miller, D. (2000) Citizenship and National IdentityCambridge: Polity Press.

Nagel, T. (1991) Equality and PartialityOxford: Oxford University Press.

Nagel, T. (2005) ‘The Problem of Global Justice’ Philosophy and Public Affairs33(2),

113–47.

Parfit, D. (1984) Reasons and PersonsOxford: Clarendon Press.

Pogge, T. (2002) World Poverty and Human Rights: Cosmopolitan Responsibilities and

Reforms Cambridge: Polity Press.

Rawls, J. (1972) A Theory of JusticeOxford: Oxford University Press.

Rawls, J. (1999) The Law of PeoplesCambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Rawls, J. (2001) Justice as Fairness: A RestatementCambridge, MA: Belknap, Harvard

University Press.

Sen, A. (1999) Development as FreedomOxford: Oxford University Press.

Singer, P. (1972) ‘Famine, Affluence, and Morality’ Philosophy and Public Affairs1(3),

229–43.

Further reading

In addition to the works cited in the chapter – all of which are important contributions to

the debate – the following books, chapters and articles are useful. Works on immigration by

Joseph Carens, include, among others, ‘Aliens and Citizens: The Case for Open Borders’, in

W. Kymlicka (ed.) The Rights of Minority Cultures(Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995);

Chapter 22 Global justice 499