In Memoriam: Benjamin Barber

On April 24, author, academician and public intellectual Benjamin Barber passed away of pancreatic cancer.  In a career full of milestones and impact, Barber was just coming off of a groundbreaking initiative, the Global Parliament of Mayors, which he first envisioned then brought to reality with a convening in late 2016.  Professor Barber’s strong conviction was that cities should “rule the world,” and that they are positioned to solve problems that are beyond the capacities of dysfunctional nation states to address.  In the days after the US election, Barber averred that US cities would lead the opposition to an isolationist, regressive national agenda.  Indeed, Barber had already laid the groundwork with his new posthumously published book Cool Cities, describing cities’ leadership in addressing climate change.  Further, Barber’s work provides scholarly support for the emergent “safe cities movement” nationwide, opening cities to refugees and ensuring recognition of basic human rights.   These were issues that he worked on, and inspired work on, up to the very end of his life.  Many around the world will carry on his legacy.