An Actor-Network Theory of Cosmopolitanism
Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
6-2011
Abstract
A major problem with the emerging sociological literature on cosmopolitanism is that it has not adequately theorized mechanisms that mediate the presumed causal relationship between globalization and the development of cosmopolitan orientations. To solve this problem, I draw on Bruno Latour's actor-network theory (ANT) to theorize the development of three key elements of cosmopolitanism: cultural omnivorousness, ethnic tolerance, and cosmopolitics. ANT illuminates how humans and nonhumans of multiple nationalities develop attachments with one another to create network structures that sustain cosmopolitanism. ANT also helps the sociology of cosmopolitanism become more reflexive and critical of its implicit normative claims.
Discipline
Sociology
Research Areas
Sociology
Publication
Sociological Theory
Volume
29
Issue
2
First Page
124
Last Page
149
ISSN
0735-2751
Identifier
10.1111/j.1467-9558.2011.01390.x
Publisher
American Sociological Association
Citation
SAITO, Hiro.(2011). An Actor-Network Theory of Cosmopolitanism. Sociological Theory, 29(2), 124-149.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/1890
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9558.2011.01390.x