Christian Barry is professor of philosophy in the School of Philosophy at the Research School of Social Sciences (RSSS), Australian National University, and co-editor of the Journal of Political Philosophy.
His research focuses on ethical theory, philosophy of action, and international justice. His recent work includes a book with Sanjay Reddy, International Trade and Labour Standards: A Proposal for Linkage (Columbia University Press, 2008), and articles in Philosophy & Public Affairs, Journal of Political Philosophy, Journal of Moral Philosophy, Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Review of International Studies, International Affairs, and Carnegie Council's journal, Ethics & International Affairs.
His latest book, Responding to Global Poverty: Harm, Responsibility and Agency, (co-authored with Gerhard Øverland) was published by Cambridge University Press in 2016. He currently holds an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant for the project The Ethical Responsiblities of Consumers.
Prior to joining the ANU, Barry was a program officer at Carnegie Council (Justice & the World Economy), and editor of Ethics & International Affairs, a consultant to the Human Development Report Office at the United Nations Development Programme, and a lecturer in politics and international relations at University College Dublin.
He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Columbia University, where he was a fellow at the Center for Law and Philosophy.
Featured Work
JUN 15, 2020 • Podcast
The Ethics of the Coronavirus Lockdown, with Christian Barry
Due to COVID-19, significant restrictions have been placed on freedoms to move about in many nations. Philosopher Christian Barry explores how the costs of these ...
JAN 20, 2017 • Article
Virtual Citizenship for Refugees: A Proposal
At last, a practical, humane, and cost-effective proposal to help cope with the nearly 20 million refugees and asylum seekers worldwide, from philosophers Christian Barry and ...
APR 27, 2015 • Article
Is Downloading Really Stealing? The Ethics of Digital Piracy
You wouldn't steal a car, you wouldn't steal a handbag, you wouldn't steal a television. But what about downloading pirated films? Is intellectual property infringement ...
OCT 10, 2013 • Podcast
Anna Stilz on Occupancy Rights
Any attempts to tackle the problems of long-term refugees will have to address occupancy rights. Why do we have the right to live in a ...
SEP 30, 2013 • Podcast
Arash Abizadeh on Immigration
As the U.S. moves toward a major overhaul of its immigration system, many of those most significantly affected are being left out of the ...
APR 30, 2013 • Podcast
Kim Ferzan on Preventive Justice
Criminal justice is normally retrospective: You can only imprison someone for crimes they’ve already committed. But what should we do about individuals who clearly ...
DEC 3, 2012 • Podcast
Corey Brettschneider on Hate Speech
How should states deal with hate speech? In the U.S., the prevailing attitude is that hate speech should be protected. In other liberal democracies, ...
OCT 3, 2012 • Podcast
Jon Quong on Self-Defense
What conditions make it permissible for one person to kill another? And what does it mean if the theories that we've used as the basis ...
OCT 1, 2012 • Article
Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Boat Migrants to Australia Deserve Their Refugee Rights
Asylum seekers who come to Australia by boat have been accused of jumping the queue in the immigration process, but are they really gaining an ...
JUL 18, 2012 • Podcast
Garrett Cullity on Climate Change
Since there is very little any given individual can do to address climate change, there is a problem drawing a line from collective responsibility to ...