The Political Significance and Philosophical Complexities of Trade

Trade has made the world, but as far as philosophical thought is concerned, it remains elusive. What, if anything, about trade generates obligations, and what is the nature of these obligations? Can we identify a normative ground for trade-specific obligations while recognizing other grounds such as common humanity or shared citizenship? How should we think about such a ground in ideal theory, where everybody does as they ought to, and in non-ideal theory, where not everybody does? These are tough questions, partly because trade touches on many philosophical subjects but must also be properly understood historically and social-scientifically. This chapter casts light on both the political and historical significance of trade and its philosophical complexities. The chapter also introduces the major theses this book defends.