Conclusions

Abstract

By way of introduction, I suggested that at its most fundamental level, this is a book on global poverty. In conclusion, it is also to state the obvious that, in the main, it has been a work of Rawlsian scholarship. A priority has been to contribute to a growing literature that takes LP seriously and is restoring its reputation, following some initial forceful criticisms. Using the capability perspective as a conceptual tool, the main aims have been: to elucidate Rawls’ duty of assistance as an insightful institution-building approach to global poverty; to demonstrate that his international theory is a consistent development of his domestic perspective; and to argue that he presents a progressive and far-reaching principle that can be viewed as responding to the challenge of cosmopolitan ideas, including Amartya Sen’s recent critique.