Global civics
Global civics suggests to understand civics in a global sense as a social contract between the world citizens in the age of interdependence and interaction. The disseminators of the concept define it as the notion that we have certain rights and responsibilities towards each other by the mere fact of being human on Earth.[1]
The advocates of the notion attempt to demonstrate that it is possible to imagine global civics. According to this attempt, in an increasingly interdependent world, the world citizens need a compass that would frame their mindsets, and create a shared consciousness and sense of global responsibility against some world issues such as environmental problems and nuclear proliferation.[2]
History of the Concept
The term global civics was first coined by Hakan Altinay, a nonresident senior fellow with the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution, in a working paper published in March 2010. The concept builds upon the basic tenets behind global ethics, global justice and world citizenship, inviting everyone to question their increasingly important role in a highly interdependent world.
Among the many methods adopted by the proponents of global civics to spread an understanding of the concept is Collective Answers, a nonprofit that helps discuss global civics issues through online forums, submissions, and various exhibits all around the globe. Collective Answers will begin displaying its submissions in a series of exhibitions starting in the fall of 2010.[3]
Objections to the Concept
The opponents of global civics argue that even a modest level of responsibility towards all the people living in the world is so overwhelming and nearly impossible to achieve. Besides, these arguments posit that the civics assumes an effective state and enforcement. However, the opponent arguments claim, since there is no such thing as the world government, the implementation is not feasible. Also, it has been suggested that superpowers of the world are selfish and dangerous nations, and that they should not feel constrained by international legitimacy and laws.[4] Finally, the critics claim that any experience of pan-global solidarity among human beings cannot form the basis of constellation of rights and responsibilities as it is nascent at best and the experience of being a global citizen is a privilege restricted to international elites and a few activists.[2]
The Role of Universities
The proponents of global civics also suggest that university campuses play a vital role in spreading a thorough understanding of how today's global world functions and preparing future generations for life in an interdependent world. This view calls for visionary universities that could successfully "provide their students with the forums and the tools to discuss and figure out what their responsibilities are to their fellow human beings." [1]
See also
References
- ^ a b Altinay, Hakan (2010). "The Case for Global Civics". Global Economy and Development at Brookings.
- ^ a b Altinay, Hakan (June 2010). "A Global Civics: Necessary? Feasible?". Global Policy.
- ^ "Collective Answers homepage". Retrieved July 9, 2010.
- ^ Kagan, Robert (2006). Dangerous Nations. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Further reading
- Goldstein, Alyosha (March 17, 2004). "The Global Civics of Poverty: Community, Participation, and Neoliberal Governance".
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- Levin-Goldberg, Jennifer (2009). "Transforming Global Civics: The Need for Human Rights Education".
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- "Taiwan Students Top Global Civics Study". Taiwan Today. June 30, 2010.