Cosmopolitanism in Modernity

Anand Commissiong provides an insightful and erudite discussion of a crucial topic for all progressive thinkers and activists. All of us will surely benefit from this impressive book. -- Stephen Eric Bronner, Rutgers University
Locating itself in the broadest reading of the history of political thought, this fine book makes an argument for "cosmopolitan virtue" as the foundation of a political theory cognizant of the unity between the particular and the universal in lived experience. Commissiong (West Texas A&M Univ.) offers this position as an alternative to both of today's dominant conceptions (and practices) of the "good life:" exclusionary fundamentalism and unfettered market neoliberalism. This book is to be commended for two main reasons. First, it offers an erudite, rigorous examination of the literature on cosmopolitanism (especially the work of Martha Nussbaum, Jurgen Habermas, and David Held), which has enjoyed a revival in the last ten or so years. Second, it enriches this debate by probing into its connections not only with the dominant accounts of political life, but also with important critics of these such as Antonio Hardt and Michael Negri. This strategy allows Commissiong to go beyond the more abstract positions of the cosmopolitans to provide an account capable of informing political activists and concerned citizens. The result is an erudite, very readable book that offers a substantially new point of departure for normative discussion and political practice. Summing Up: Highly recommended. * CHOICE *