Non-Interference in Internal Affairs and Global Justice

Abstract

This chapter argues that when a proletarian dictatorship adopts nationalism, it can devolve into militaristic expansion indistinguishable from capitalist imperialism – what might be termed ‘socialist imperialism’. Against this backdrop, the prospect of a unified global proletarian revolution is unrealistic. Drawing on Thomas Nagel’s concept of Minimal Humanitarian Morality, this chapter highlights the moral challenges created when states economically engage with internally unjust regimes, noting that such engagement constitutes a secondary violation of justice. By examining structural and transition failures in governance, Nagel’s framework can be more effectively applied. The discussion further contends that humanitarian aid and the legitimacy of advocating regime change depend on each state’s intentions and capacities, underscoring the tension between justice and state sovereignty in a world defined by unequal military power.