Global Arc

This seminar introduces urgent moral questions in international affairs, with a particular focus on global poverty and inequality. Addressed questions will include: Why do inequalities between countries matter? What do affluent countries owe to poor countries? When should foreign aid begin and stop? Should there be equality of opportunity at the global level? In humanitarian emergencies, are we permitted to help our compatriots first? Do states have a right to exclude needy immigrants? Should developing countries be relieved of the burdens of mitigating climate change? Can NGOs legitimately represent the interests of the global poor?

Many political scientists worry that representative democracy in the United States is failing. It is gridlocked, elites are polarized, party competition is dysfunctional, public policy favors the wealthy, gerrymandering dilutes people's votes. Are these really failures of democratic representation? We will consider this question in the perspective of the political theory of representative democracy. We will also read some recent works by political scientists and other observers, but this is mainly a seminar in political theory: our goal is to explore what democratic citizens should expect from their representative institutions.