While justice has traditionally been theorized primarily within the state, over the past three decades the concept has increasingly been applied to the global sphere. Due to intensified globalization processes, there are more and more problems that affect people in more than one state and/or that can only be solved through international cooperation. One may think of extreme poverty, health inequalities, increased flows of people, exploitative labour conditions or anthropogenic climate change.

The course will introduce students to the major philosophical theories of global justice. In a second step, some of the most important specific issues in the field of global justice will be discussed. This implies a critical assessment of the existing legal norms, institutions, and practices in the relevant areas. Examined approaches to global justice include: contractualism, cosmopolitanism and particularism. Discussed specific issues include inter alia: humanitarian intervention, international trade, climate justice and migration.

Two-hour written examination on everything covered in the course. 

Information on the examination process and the documents that are allowed in the exam hall will be announced during the course. 

By the end of the course, you will:

• know the basic elements and critiques of the major philosophical theories of global justice;
• be able to critically discuss these theories in the context of selected specific issues in the field of global justice and be better able to provide your own answer;
• be able to critically assess and reflect on existing legal norms, institutions and practices in the relevant areas from a global justice perspective. 

The documentation will be available on Moodle.

There will be a list with compulsory readings for each course.