Critically interrogating the popular concept of cosmopolitanism, this book offers new insight of what it means to be a world citizen today.

This book assesses to what extent transnational non-state associations help to cultivate greater respect for the moral equality of all humans and to build transnational communities. It shows that such cosmopolitan ideals can arise from unexpected places in our world without the self-conscious intention of advancing a common human community.

The cosmopolitan political tradition defines people not according to nationality, family, or class but as equally worthy citizens of the world. Martha Nussbaum pursues this “noble but flawed” vision, confronting its inherent tensions over material distribution, differential abilities, and the ideological conflicts inherent to pluralistic societies.

Addressing the relationship between Mead's notions of self and society and those of important continental thinkers, The Cosmopolitan Self demonstrates that Mead's ideas not only speak to resolving the tension between universalism and pluralism but do so in a manner that challenges and advances the positions of these continental theoreticians."--BOOK JACKET.