Republican Citizens and Political Responsibility in a Globalizing World

Abstract

This chapter develops a republican perspective on the possibility and potential of developing stronger forms of global political responsibility by focusing upon the role of citizens and the function of the state. This republican perspective argues that responsiveness is a crucial element of political responsibility and contends that republicanism’s focus upon the activity and dispositions of citizens as political actors, which can animate political responsiveness in both national and global governance, can position the state as being an agent for promoting liberty at home and abroad. However, it argues that republicanism needs to adapt to the contemporary political context and consequently further develops a position termed ‘critical republicanism’ by Cécile Laborde, which draws from critical theory’s interest in social change to develop an account of republican responsibility and responsiveness adapted to globalization.