Globalization as a civilizing force for creating tolerant cosmopolitan societies? The case study of Israel

Cosmopolitans, striving to make all human beings part of one worldwide community, are inspired by two developments of today’s world: globalization and the so-called ‘democratic peace’. But is this hope justified – do these phenomenons exert a civilizing force? By discussing the case of Israel, i.e. a partially developed democracy, it is found that it is difficult for globalization to become a cosmopolitan force under the circumstances of conflict. Furthermore, democracies are able to project their internal values onto foreign policy only when dealing with other democracies; they display autocratic foreign policy behaviour when dealing with non-liberal states. In this respect a full-fledged and internationally recognized Palestinian democratic state could increase the chances for a future of mutual respect in the Holy Land.