This is a quick note to let you know that the two main readings for next week (Nickel and Griffin) are now on Blackboard. In addition we will read over the major Human Rights conventions that are collected as appendices at the end of Nickel's book. (Hopefully your copies of Nickel have already arrived; but if not I will list the conventions and you can find them all on-line easily.)
One other note: there was a great exchange by Yilin and Allen B. arising out of the discussion in the second class. You'll find it under the "comments" section for the post immediately below this one.
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Here's a thought:
Miller emphasizes the importance of a "citizenship-relationship" between fellow-members of a political community; a relationship that triggers a sense of "national responsibility" (p. 15). And yet, technology is altering the development of interpersonal relationships in important ways.
To focus on one area of change, the rise of social networking and a rich array of communication tools are allowing Internet users to transcend physical and political boundaries to establish meaningful relationships with people around the world. This is arguably giving rise to an expanded sense of community and heightened collective moral responsibility.
Professor Norman brought up the anecdote of the Obama alert that made contributing to the Red Cross as simple as responding to a text message. On Facebook, I can donate food to the world's hungry by adding a software application and clicking on a button. I now feel more involved – more connected to the world and its crises – than ever before. This means I am perhaps more likely to participate in alleviating global problems.
I may, for example, give quickly and generously to help cyclone survivors in Burma, especially with giving being as simple as an easy online transaction. But my philanthropy may also trigger certain expectations. I will naturally want to know how my money is being spent. For the government of Burma, the recipient of my aid, this creates a new dimension of public accountability. If I find that it is defaulting on its obligations, I may be compelled to voice my support for a humanitarian intervention.
The paradigm, it seems, is no longer one of "national responsibility and global justice," but increasingly one of "international accountability and global justice."
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