What is Cosmopolitanism?

John Spacey, updated on June 11, 2019

Cosmopolitanism is the idea that people can find community at the global level. The term has long been considered elitist as historically it has often been the rich who had the opportunity to live abroad for short periods and meet people from a wide range of backgrounds. In the past century, cosmopolitan ideas have shifted into the mainstream as globalism and technology has made it more common for to interact on a global basis.

Notes

A similar term, cosmopolitan, implies that a person is familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures.

Overview: Cosmopolitanism
Type	International Business
Definition (1)	The idea that community can exist at the global level.
Definition (2)	An individual who seeks broad cultural experience in order to be comfortable beyond their own national, community, cultural and ethnic background.
Significance	Community at a the global level requires establishing mutual respect despite differences in beliefs. This is a critical skill for business, politics and generally building understanding and tolerance between nations and cultures.
Related Concepts	Types of Knowledge