Human Dignity and the Future of Global Institutions - Paperback

by Mark P. Lagon (Editor), Anthony Clark Arend (Editor), John J. Degioia (Contribution by)

What does human dignity mean and what role should it play in guiding the mission of international institutions? In recent decades, global institutions have proliferated-from intergovernmental organizations to hybrid partnerships. The specific missions of these institutions are varied, but is there a common animating principle to inform their goals? Presented as an integrated, thematic analysis that transcends individual contributions, Human Dignity and the Future of Global Institutions argues that the concept of human dignity can serve as this principle.

Human dignity consists of the agency of individuals to apply their gifts to thrive, and requires social recognition of each person's inherent value and claim to equal access to opportunity. Contributors examine how traditional and emerging institutions are already advancing human dignity, and then identify strategies to make human dignity more central to the work of global institutions. They explore traditional state-created entities, as well as emergent, hybrid institutions and faith-based organizations. Concluding with a final section that lays out a path for a cross-cultural dialogue on human dignity, the book offers a framework to successfully achieve the transformation of global politics into service of the individual.

Author Biography

Mark P. Lagon is global politics and security chair, Master of Science in Foreign Service Program, Georgetown University; adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations; and former US ambassador at large to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Anthony Clark Arend is director of the Master of Science of Foreign Service Program and professor of government and foreign service at Georgetown University. He is the author of Legal Rules and International Society.