9. Conclusion: The Responsibility to Protect and the Move Towards a More Cosmopolitan Approach to Human Protection

This chapter details how the monograph’s research objective has been undertaken and subsequently validated, alongside its contributions to the existing literature on R2P and both cosmopolitan human protection and Habermas’ constitutional cosmopolitan approach. The chapter also reiterates a number of broader themes and ideas touched upon in the course of the book that it is hoped will provoke further debate, discussion and academic research on R2P and these respective cosmopolitan typologies. These include the impact of context and complexity on the future development and progress of the doctrine. The chapter argues that further research on R2P could help to enhance international consensus on the doctrine and, consequently, strengthen the implementation of R2P’s legal and conceptual principles. Moreover, and as either an intention or by-product, additional research could have further significant and positive implications for the relationship between the doctrine and both cosmopolitan human protection and Habermas’ constitutional cosmopolitan approach.