Liberal or postmodern at its core, contemporary cosmopolitanism is an attempt to negotiate both globalization and multicultural particularism. this paper critically discusses three positions in today's cosmopolitanism: the liberal-universalist project of "cosmopolitan democracy"; the post-identitarian case for "actually existing cosmopolitanism"; and the "communitarian cosmopolitanism" offering apologia for the nation-state and internationalism. Archibugi's "cosmopolitan democracy" is an ideal response to the many problems and crises on our globe which seem to call for positive world governance. Yet doubts arise as to whether the transnational power of "a world parliament" will not be turned into a new global oligarchy. Arguments for "actually existing cosmopolitanism" invite no less criticism. Above all, the notion of the multiple belonging of "minoritarian cosmopolitans" comes curiously close to the viewpoint of frequent flyers, a new privileged class in the age of global capitalism. Finally, "communitarian cosmopolitanism" takes a stand against postnational discourses, stressing on local solidarity and democratization. The stress, though needful enough, should on local solidarity and democratization. The stress, though needful enough, should not lead us into an alliance with ethnocentric nationalism; local concerns should instead be substantially articulated with cosmopolitan interests.
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