Global Equality as a Relational Ideal

Abstract

This chapter provides an account of what it means for people to stand in a relation of equality to one another in the global context. It will start with a discussion of whether we do stand in some relations to distant strangers in the global context that give rise to claims of distributive justice. It will then argue that we have a duty to construct our relations to one another in the global context in ways that reflect each other’s status as equal moral agents. In particular, it will argue that a relational ideal of equality has three aspects: (1) the preservation of self-respect, (2) non-domination, and (3) fair terms of cooperation in collective endeavors.