Germann: Peace Related Human Diversity - Cosmopolis Under a Veil of Ignorance on Group Affiliation

Christophe Germann (Univ. of Bern - Law) has posted Peace Related Human Diversity - Cosmopolis Under a Veil of Ignorance on Group Affiliation. The downloadable document is the short English version of "Menschliche Vielfalt im Lichte der Friedensförderung" (Archiv für Rechts- und Sozialphilosophie, forthcoming). Here's the abstract:

A new cosmopolitan world order founded on peace-related diversity of human expressions is likely to strengthen the weaker individual. Such order remains nevertheless meritocratic because it would contribute to materialize enhanced equality between individuals belonging to human groups of different strengths with respect to access to power, wealth or popularity. Therefore, in comparison to existing orders, it would arguably create a better basis for freedom and solidarity as well as for peace between human groups, including states. The originality of this theory rests on three pillars. First and foremost, it is built upon the diversity of human expressions in connection with peace as elements which arguably determine directly or indirectely the contents of all legal, social or moral norms. Secondly, it provides the foundation for a new cosmopolitan system promoting moderation against “groupism” that does not require any decision making by unanimity, majority or diktat, but can be implemented by any individual vis-à-vis any other individuals and human groups without any form of institution. Third, this theory relies on a consistency test between an imaginary situation under a veil of ignorance about group affiliations on the one hand ("Imagined Position") and a situation referring to a specific historical reality on the other hand ("Real Position"). The coherence test is conditioned by the fear of belonging to the weaker human groups which should procure a universal validity to it by relying on average risk aversion of human beings. The comparison between these two positions shall allow for a verification of consistency in relation to peace-related human diversity when it comes to assessing existing legal, social and moral norms or to create and implement new ones.