Abstract

What is globalization? What policy and decision challenges does it pose? Is the ideal of a single global community necessary, useful, or desirable in dealing with globalization problems? What are the prospects for philosophy and, in general, the humanities in dealing with these problems? My theses are: first, there are at least two types of globalization processes, widespread internationalization and transnational interdependence, which occur independently or in conflictive or complementary combination with each other; second, the integrationist ideal of a single, value-convergent global community is neither useful nor necessary for dealing with globalization problems; third, this ideal is morally objectionable; fourth, there is a better, transnational dialogue and interaction model for dealing with the problems; finally, this model points to a bright future for philosophy and, in general, the humanities to the extent that they insert themselves in real-world disputes and help find new forms of balance between conflicting ideas and people who contend but have to live with each other.