Sustainability and Social Justice

Themes for the Celebration of Global Community

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The attainment and maintenance of international justice would seem to require the establishment of a global community consciousness based on socioemotional relationships, the recognition of dependence on a common earth, and cooperative work on common concerns. This solidarity of community provides a base for international organization that needs to be distinguished from the cohesion of a superordinate group. Although it maintains diversity, a global community probably requires inclusionary rituals that would celebrate an inclusive unity involving common concerns, themes that could be celebrated by all peoples. To test the possibility of articulating such themes, over 2,000 people from 25 different nations were given 8 possible themes for celebration. All the themes were desired by over 80% of the respondents and one-the courage to build justice for the children who will inherit this world-was desired by 93% of the sample. Asked if they would like to participate in a celebration of global community, 78% answered probably or definitely with over 65% wanting to participate from all but 2 of the sampled nations. Although the results suggest the development of a global norm, we cannot be sure of the strength of this norm and the extent to which people would actually attend celebrations. These limitations could be addressed if the themes were used in celebrations of global community whose attendance and impact were assessed.

Publication Title

Peace and Conflict

Publication Date

5-1-2018

Volume

24

Issue

2

First Page

216

Last Page

224

ISSN

1078-1919

DOI

10.1037/pac0000340

Keywords

celebrations, global community, human communalities, international justice, rituals

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