Chris Brown’s Liberal Conservatism, the Process of Moral Learning and Global Institutional Transformations

Abstract

This chapter revisits the debate between Chris Brown, Mark Hoffmann and the author on the state-centric view and cosmopolitanism that took place quarter of a century ago. It first explores whether similar deconstructions would anymore be possible. Second, it discusses Brown’s ideas about global civil society, democracy and justice, particularly in light of world-historical developments since the early 1990s. While Brown has tried to overcome the dichotomy between the state-centric view and cosmopolitanism, this chapter examines whether the idea of universal ethico-political learning and its cosmopolitan implications might explain the divergence in our practical judgements. The chapter concludes by arguing that any area of activities in international relations and world society can be subject to normative debates and potentially democratic politics.