Cosmopolitanism in the Face of Gridlock in Global Governance

Abstract

The chapter examines the impact of gridlock on multilateral politics, and the pathways beyond gridlock that states could promote in order to advance a more cosmopolitan form of global governance. The chapter traces the extent to which global politics has been shaped by a cosmopolitan agenda since the end of the Second World War. It then argues that we are at a political crossroads, with one road pointing to the rise of nationalism and authoritarianism while the other to a more cosmopolitan future. The chapter explores pathways of change that yield avenues of possible progress through and beyond gridlock, including avenues for states and people to pursue greater cosmopolitan responsibilities. The concluding section assesses the balance of risks to cosmopolitanism. While precedents and practices of cosmopolitan politics have been put in place, they remain deeply contested.