National Sovereigntism and Global Constitutionalism: An Adornian Cosmopolitan Critique. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rensmann, Lars
• Is Part Of: Critical horizons. Volume 17:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Adorno -- conflict -- cosmopolitanism -- global constitutionalism -- Habermas -- Hegel -- Kant -- sovereignty; Critical theory -- Periodicals; 142.05
• DOI: 10.1080/14409917.2016.1117811
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-9917

Abstract

Abstract : There are two dominant schools of thought addressing problems of cosmopolitanism and (international) conflict: democratic national sovereigntism, inspired by Hegel, and global constitutionalism, inspired by Kant and reformulated by Habermas. This paper develops a third position by reading Adorno's critique of both theoretical traditions. Rather than compromising between these camps, Adorno triangulates between them. Critically illuminating their respective deficiencies in view of the changing conditions of a globalized modern world has critical implications for cosmopolitics. Although largely negative, Adorno's critique provides an important framework for a contestatory reformulation of cosmopolitanism, one that is better equipped to confront societal and political global conflicts insufficiently reflected in sovereigntist and global constitutionalist models.