Motivating Cosmopolitanism and the Responsibility for the Health of Others

Abstract

Cosmopolitanism has often been criticized for being unable to overcome a ‘motivational problem’ of moving moral theory to political practice. This chapter responds to this criticism by exploring a state-based and more politically motivated form of cosmopolitanism. In doing so this chapter re-examines whether a cosmopolitan condition must necessarily derive its normativity from an explicit cosmopolitan moral foundation of ‘humanity’ alone, further arguing that it is possible to locate three conditions available to advance a motivation-based ‘transitional cosmopolitanism’ that sits between state self-interest and a movement towards a cosmopolitan condition. In order to better connect theory to practice, the chapter examines recent normative and institutional shifts in global health policy and the growing recognition by powerful states that national health security and the health of those beyond borders are intimately linked and co-constituted.