Liberal Political Philosophy: The Role of Non-State Actors and Considerations of Global Justice

Liberal theories of political philosophy inform the practice and tradition of non-state actors and non-governmental organizations (together, ‘non-governmental actors’). Aspirations for global justice or a democratic peace, among other things, arise out of liberal thought from John Locke and Immanuel Kant to Jürgen Habermas and John Rawls. Their work underscores an enduring role for private actors in the public sphere as a necessary element for progressive political development. This chapter analyses the role of non-governmental actors in liberal political philosophy from Kant to Rawls.