Hegemony and Global Citizenship

By: Robert C. Paehlke

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Synopsis: Americans felt part of 'the greatest nation on earth' and many of the world's citizens, with obvious exceptions, were warily comfortable with America's hegemonic power. That comfort faded dramatically during the Bush administration's rejection of Kyoto and its invasion of Iraq. Many, including many Americans, began to rethink global governance. A more democratic approach to international relations is necessary, especially one that addresses rising inequality worldwide and global financial instability driven by deregulation initiated by national governments. Citizens also demand a collective capacity to protect the natural systems on which we depend and more Americans now ask about the opportunity costs of military spending. Humankind shares a common fate. Accordingly, we need a democratic global capacity to act on common concerns. Rethinking our understanding of citizenship as global rights and obligations as well as national ones is in order, as is active global citizenship as an alternative to hegemony's limits and perils.