The Global Crisis and the Crisis of Democracy: A Cosmopolitan Way Forward?

Abstract

Trapped in the logic of the nation-state paradigm, political imagination and analysis remain largely restricted. Even if capable of recognizing problems, without adequate cognitive frames, the capacity to provide solutions or identify alternatives is lost. When trying to identify the deeper roots and interconnectedness of different sorts of crises (global financial, economic and debt crises, and the ecological crisis), the relationship between globalization and democracy and democratic legitimacy needs more careful analysis at the EU level. The global crisis and transformation might enhance transnational and global consciousness and responsibility-taking as well as networking and participation. An unexpected result may open the way for de facto cosmopolitanism. Given the strong political attempts and interests to re-strengthen the nation-state, the non-linear path will be conflict ridden.