The Department of Philosophy and the Faculty of Social Studies are pleased to announce a seminar with

Professor Thomas Pogge

(Columbia University and Australian National University)

Tuesday 26th April, 9.30-11.00am

Room S0.18

Coffe and tea served afterwards

All welcome

Abstract:

"The concept of global justice makes visible how citizens of affluent countries are potentially responsible for the hardships endured by many in the so-called less developed countries. Despite a high and growing global average income, billions of human beings are still condemned to lifelong severe poverty with all its attendant evils of low life expectancy, social exclusion, ill health, illiteracy, dependency, and effective enslavement.

Distinct conceptions of global justice differ in their specific criteria of global justice. However, they agree that the touchstone is how well our global institutional order is doing, compared to its feasible alternatives, in regard to the fundamental human interests that matter from a moral point of view.

My talk will emphasize our responsibility for global regimes such as the global trading system and the rules governing military interventions These institutional arrangements affect human beings worldwide, for instance by shaping the options and incentives of governments and corporations. Alternative paths of globalization would have differed in how much violence, oppression, and extreme poverty they engender. And global institutional reforms could greatly enhance human rights fulfilment in the future."

Downloads

Paper by Thomas Pogge on poverty and human rights:

Recognized and Violated by International Law: The Human Rights of the Global Poor

Symposium on Thomas Pogge's work on poverty and human rights in Ethics and International Affairs:

Introduction by Pogge

Comment by Anwander

Comment by Cruft

Comment by Patten

Comment by Risse

Comment by Satz

Reply by Pogge