The moving global Everest: A new challenge to global ideal theory as a necessary compass

European Journal of Political Theory 17 (1):87-108 (2018)
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Abstract

I present a new challenge to the Rawlsian insistence on ideal theory as a compass orienting concrete policy choices. My challenge, focusing on global politics, consists of three claims. First, I contend that our global ideal can become more ambitious over time. Second, I argue that Rawlsian ideal theory’s level of ambition might change because of concrete policy choices, responding to moral failures which can be identified and resolved without ideal theory. Third, I argue that we currently face such potentially transformative choices. I conclude that these choices are analytically prior to, rather than derivative from, global ideal theory.

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Citations of this work

The challenges of ideal theory and appeal of secular apocalyptic thought.Ben Jones - 2020 - European Journal of Political Theory 19 (4):465-488.
Should Rawlsian end-state principles be constrained by popular beliefs about justice?Kim Angell - forthcoming - Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy.
Ideal Theory for a Complex World.Jeffrey Carroll - 2022 - Res Publica 28 (3):531-550.

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References found in this work

A Theory of Justice: Revised Edition.John Rawls - 1999 - Harvard University Press.
Realism in Normative Political Theory.Enzo Rossi & Matt Sleat - 2014 - Philosophy Compass 9 (10):689-701.
Political Liberalism.J. Rawls - 1995 - Tijdschrift Voor Filosofie 57 (3):596-598.
Ideal and nonideal theory.A. John Simmons - 2010 - Philosophy and Public Affairs 38 (1):5-36.
The Problem of Global Justice.Thomas Nagel - 2005 - Philosophy and Public Affairs 33 (2):113-147.

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