Cosmopolitanism, Nationalism, and Belonging

In contemporary society, individuals navigate multiple and often competing identities. These identities arise from social structures, cultural norms, and shared commitments, and they are shaped both by direct relationships and large-scale systems such as markets and states.

Moral obligation and political solidarity frequently emerge from embedded, localized social relations. Yet ethical practices and political projects also call for transcending parochial viewpoints. This occurs through institutions and networks that connect people beyond their immediate circles—families, communities, movements, religions, and nations—under broader principles like fairness and hospitality.

Still, a tension remains between two broad categories of norms: those that govern direct interpersonal interactions, and those that structure impersonal systems like markets and states. Norms such as honesty may bridge both realms, while cosmopolitan ideals ask us to move beyond loyalty to particular groups.

Across different levels of scale, conflicts among values often arise. Particularly salient is the clash between group-based belonging—national, religious, or ethnic—and more universalist frameworks. In a series of related research initiatives, Dr. Calhoun examined how changing scales of interaction affect both solidarity and cohesion in modern societies.

Selected Publications