Contemporary Nationalism and Classical Political Theory

Ancient Greece and Rome offered competing visions of politics based on republics and the cosmopolitan idea of humans as world-citizens. In light of classical political theory and the resurgence of nationalism in current politics, we will consider the following questions: Should politics be based on concern for the individual or the nation? Do we have stronger duties to our nations and fellow citizens than to the rest of the world? If so, can we ignore other countries and focus on our own problems? Should foreign policy further the goals of nation-states or focus on global justice? Are nation-states necessary? How should we address the environment, immigration, and economic globalization?