What is so special about our fellow countrymen?

Abstract

The article argues that special responsibilities, such as duties towards fellow countrymen, are merely devices used to assign the implementation of general duties to particular agents. On this view, special duties do not involve an independent existence or moral force. Instead, their moral significance is wholly derived from their connection to general duties. It follows that special duties can be overriden by general considerations. Consequently, our duties towards fellow countrymen are not so unique. However, some general duties are more effectively discharged by assigning special responsibility to particular agents. National boundaries are one device used to visit certain state agents with special responsibility to promote the interests of their own citizens. While states are normally responsible for protecting their citizens, they still have a duty to assist people without protection, such as refugees. Therefore, the allocation and reallocation of special responsibilities are necessary to discharge general duties effectively. – AI-generated abstract