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Cosmopolitan reconstruction beyond methodological nationalism: individuals, states, practices and the world
Type
conference paper
Author(s)
Abstract (De)
This paper investigates methodological considerations in Political Theory in light of units of analysis, levels of application, and modes of conduct in theory building. The paper outlines a method I call “cosmopolitan reconstruction” which offers a contribution beyond the impasse of methodological nationalism, individualism, and constructivism. I argue that methodological nationalism needs de-centering by considering a reconstructive theoretical conduct and that cosmopolitan approaches need grounding in social practices in order to develop a fuller picture of our political and social lives.
Three units of analysis are prevalent: individuals, (nation-)states, and the world. These units are then bundled into two levels of application: statism and cosmopolitanism. To distinguish between units and levels is helpful because it highlights what is at stake. Methodological nationalism focuses on the individual on the domestic level and on the (nation-)state on the global level. Statists prioritize the unit of the state to some extent over the unit of the individual and to a larger extent over the unit of the world. Statists argue that the unit of analysis should be the national level because it is factually the place where enforceable political decisions are made. Cosmopolitans focus on the unit of the individual as yardstick and each individual is deemed to be of equal moral worth. Cosmopolitans usually connect individuals with the unit of the world.
In the conduct of Political Theory, we can distinguish three constructive modes: “pure” construction, reconstruction, and deconstruction. “Pure” construction is sketched as a foil to highlight reconstruc-tion. Deconstruction cannot be considered here. “Pure” reconstruction in Normative Political Theory is based on argumentative evaluation of normative proposals. Evaluations are made based on defined levels of application. Often a shortcut is taken by assuming that principles of justice as distributive devices are designed for self-contained entities. The (nation-)state as black box is used as a methodological shortcut. This shortcut is prevalent in Rawlsian constructivism.
Reconstruction goes beyond the balancing of reasons and constructing ideal institutional set-ups and distributive devices. There are at least two types of reconstruction: rational and normative. Habermas uses rational reconstruction in his discourse-theoretical approach to law and democracy (1990; 1996; Gaus 2013). Whereas constructive approaches decide principles through use of reason alone, the reconstructive approach reconnects theoretical advances to experiences and circumstances in the lifeworld. Normative reconstruction traces prevalent ideals and values in the normative and social reproduction of society (Honneth 2008; 2013; 2021). Reconstruction links the tasks of theorists with the experiences of citizens. However, reconstructive approaches are not free from the constrictions of methodological nationalism. My approach broadens the unit of analysis of reconstruction and encompasses the cosmopolitan level of application and to go beyond individuals and states as units of analysis. Cosmopolitan reconstruction takes the world as unit of analysis serious.
Three units of analysis are prevalent: individuals, (nation-)states, and the world. These units are then bundled into two levels of application: statism and cosmopolitanism. To distinguish between units and levels is helpful because it highlights what is at stake. Methodological nationalism focuses on the individual on the domestic level and on the (nation-)state on the global level. Statists prioritize the unit of the state to some extent over the unit of the individual and to a larger extent over the unit of the world. Statists argue that the unit of analysis should be the national level because it is factually the place where enforceable political decisions are made. Cosmopolitans focus on the unit of the individual as yardstick and each individual is deemed to be of equal moral worth. Cosmopolitans usually connect individuals with the unit of the world.
In the conduct of Political Theory, we can distinguish three constructive modes: “pure” construction, reconstruction, and deconstruction. “Pure” construction is sketched as a foil to highlight reconstruc-tion. Deconstruction cannot be considered here. “Pure” reconstruction in Normative Political Theory is based on argumentative evaluation of normative proposals. Evaluations are made based on defined levels of application. Often a shortcut is taken by assuming that principles of justice as distributive devices are designed for self-contained entities. The (nation-)state as black box is used as a methodological shortcut. This shortcut is prevalent in Rawlsian constructivism.
Reconstruction goes beyond the balancing of reasons and constructing ideal institutional set-ups and distributive devices. There are at least two types of reconstruction: rational and normative. Habermas uses rational reconstruction in his discourse-theoretical approach to law and democracy (1990; 1996; Gaus 2013). Whereas constructive approaches decide principles through use of reason alone, the reconstructive approach reconnects theoretical advances to experiences and circumstances in the lifeworld. Normative reconstruction traces prevalent ideals and values in the normative and social reproduction of society (Honneth 2008; 2013; 2021). Reconstruction links the tasks of theorists with the experiences of citizens. However, reconstructive approaches are not free from the constrictions of methodological nationalism. My approach broadens the unit of analysis of reconstruction and encompasses the cosmopolitan level of application and to go beyond individuals and states as units of analysis. Cosmopolitan reconstruction takes the world as unit of analysis serious.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Event Title
MANCEPT Workshops 2022
Event Location
Manchester & online (hybrid)
Event Date
7. + 8.9.2022
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
267617