Law, Jurisp & Social Thought 172 - Global Justice

Traditionally, in a world formed by states, political, legal and moral responsibilities of governments, private corporations and individuals are mostly confined within national boundaries. Today, economic and ecological interdependence as well as global migrations of capital, goods, people, ideas and diseases challenge the Westphalian distinction between the domestic and the international. Global problems challenge the traditional inter-state organization of the world.

This seminar examines the international responses to the challenges posed by complex global problems like the refugee crisis, climate change, the Zika virus outbreak, poverty, labor conditions, humanitarian crises and fair trade. We will examine some of the central reasons explaining the international community’s inability to confront global problems effectively. Then, we will study a series of policy initiatives to solve some of these global problems, initiatives that go beyond the traditional division between international and domestic political spheres and that challenge the idea of an international order formed exclusively by states and international institutions.

Limited to 40 students. Fall semester. Visiting Professor Becker-Lorca.