From lived urban experiences to global norms: A selection dilemma

Abstract

Speaker: Marta Wojciechowska, Kings College London There is a widely discussed tension between the current focus of mainstream political theories and the global nature of the problems that the theories aim to target. This article investigates if globally sensitive political theory is possible, by focusing on selected arguments within political theory interested in urban life. Despite the global character of urbanisation, selected arguments reflect a surprisingly narrow scope of urban experiences. The article investigates this tension and uncovers a dilemma at the heart of the theory. The dilemma is interesting in that it can also affect other empirically informed political theories, challenging their ability to respond to global issues. The article analyses the consequences of the dilemma and proposes a two-step strategy to ease those.