Michael Brooks, Brilliant Socialist Thinker, Championed Cosmopolitan Ideals
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Michael Brooks was a warm, brilliant communicator who combined intellectual curiosity and moral conviction. His genuine interest in people made him an exceptional thinker.
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Brooks recently wrote about "cosmopolitan socialism," building on philosophers who espoused universal human dignity. However, some forms of socialism have succumbed to nationalism and authoritarianism.
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Marx Critiqued Hegel's philosophy of the state, arguing that history is driven by material conflicts rather than ideas. He envisioned the international working class as the vehicle for transitioning to socialism.
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Socialists have often acknowledged the cosmopolitan nature of their ambitions, but have struggled with barriers to international organization.
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Brooks embraced celebrating human diversity while finding unity, echoing thinkers like Cornel West who explore connections across cultures with rigor and delight. Recovering this spirit is key to cosmopolitan socialism.