Singer's World

Abstract

Well known for his work on biomedical ethics and animal rights, Peter Singer's One World marks his first effort to directly address the issue of globalization. Nonetheless, anyone familiar with Singer's writing will recognize this book as a logical extension of his previous work, including “Famine, Affluence, Morality” (Singer 1972) and The Expanding Circle (Singer 1981). One World, based on Singer's Dwight H. Terry Lectures at Yale University in November 2000, is thought provoking and highly accessible. Its main contribution is to address issues in global governance and international relations from the perspective of moral philosophy and ethics. Singer writes in a clear style and without philosophical jargon, yet the book engages with the academic literature. Thus, it is suitable for a wide readership, both academic and lay. Singer believes that globalization requires a new ethic based on the notion of “one world.” Accordingly, political leaders not only have obligations toward those living outside their own national boundaries, but the nation-state itself ought to be superseded by some form of world government. Singer does not rely on the force of moral philosophy alone to argue that the Westphalia Treaty system, which led to the primacy of the nation-state, is outdated. He is realistic enough to know that any attempt to build a suitable form of global governance will have to appeal to the self-interest of the rich and powerful. Thus, Singer argues that by not helping the poor and not addressing environmental degradation, the industrialized world is ultimately threatening its own security. For example, Singer points out that in the long term, carbon dioxide emissions from sports utility vehicles will kill more people than were lost on September 11—through rising sea levels, the spread of tropical diseases, and crop failures.