"The Moral Standing of States" is the title of an essay Michael Walzer wrote in response to four critics of the theory of nonintervention defended in Just and Unjust Wars. It states a theme to which he has returned in subsequent work. I offer four sets of comments.
First, by way of introduction, I describe the controversy between Walzer and his critics and try to identify the central point of contention.
Second, I make some observations about the wider conception of global justice suggested by Walzer's remarks, emphasizing the extent of the difference between this conception and the traditional view of a "society of states" to which it stands as an alternative.
The central value in Walzer's conception is collective self-determination, so I comment about its meaning and importance.
Finally, I consider whether and how concerns about the moral standing of states bear on the kinds of cases of humanitarian intervention that the world community has actually faced since the book and article were written, particularly since the end of the cold war.
To read or purchase this article, click here.
More in this issue
Winter 2009 (23.4) • Review
Universal Human Rights in a World of Difference by Brooke A. Ackerly
In a book full of thought-provoking questions for theorists of human rights, Ackerly presents an "account of the normative legitimacy of human rights" that is ...
Winter 2009 (23.4) • Review Essay
In Pursuit of Peace
Traditional international relations scholarship has concentrated on war, but has not provided deep theoretical consideration of the concept of peace.While the focus of each ...
Winter 2009 (23.4) • Review
Ethics of Global Development: Agency, Capability, and Deliberative Democracy by David A. Crocker
This book is highly recommended to anyone who wants to know what development ethics has to offer, or who wants to engage with arguments on ...