Nationalism and Global Justice

Book excerpt: Previously published as a special issue of the Critical Review of Social and Political Philosophy, this collection brings together some of the most influential political contemporary philosophers to present a critical review of David Miller’s co-national priority thesis and give a state-of-the-art overview of the prevailing positions on nationalism and global justice within political philosophy today. The redistribution schemes of our democratic societies drastically prioritize the needs of co-nationals above those of other human beings. Is this common practice legitimate or is it a form of collective egoism? Answering this question brings us to the heart of two of the most significant debates in contemporary political philosophy: those on nationalism and global justice. Within contemporary political philosophy, Miller is one of the few political theorists who occupies a prominent place in both debates. His central argument is that national boundaries cannot be upheld at the cost of the basic rights of others, but that they do have ethical significance and therefore entitle us to prioritize the preferences of our co-nationals. This volume will be of interest to students and scholars studying philosophy, politics, international relations and law.