Second Order Responsibility and the Concept of the State

In light of increasing globalization and denationalization, the organization of the world into nation-states is more and more questioned. This article contributes to this debate by developing a novel and normatively relevant concept of statehood that conceives of states as bearers of second order responsibilities. According to this conceptualization, states have two types of second order responsibilities that arise from their monopoly of authority and their role as public actors: A meta-responsibility to create a fair and effective societal system of first order responsibilities and ultimate accountability for incomplete, unjust or ineffective first order systems. The paper develops this account through detailed discussions