Gerard Delanty views cosmopolitanism as:

Gerard Delanty conceptualizes cosmopolitanism as a process of self-transformation through cultural encounters. This perspective emphasizes that cosmopolitanism is not merely a pre-defined cultural identity or an endpoint but an evolving journey where individuals and communities engage with diverse cultures. Through these interactions, people can redefine their identities and broaden their perspectives, fostering greater understanding and cooperation across cultural boundaries.

Delanty's view underscores the dynamic nature of cosmopolitanism, where the act of encountering and engaging with different cultures leads to personal and collective growth. This process allows individuals to negotiate their identities in a globalized world, facilitating dialogue and creating a more interconnected society. It is about embracing change and learning from others, rather than sticking rigidly to a single cultural viewpoint.

By highlighting this transformative quality, Delanty distinguishes cosmopolitanism from static notions of identity, economic agendas, or nationalistic ideologies, which do not accommodate the fluid, interactive nature of cultural exchange that he argues is essential to truly understanding cosmopolitanism.