StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Ethics and International Relations - Coursework Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Ethics and International Relations" discusses whether international relations theory can be truly ethical. International politics is a vast arena. It covers almost all aspects of diplomacy. From wars to revolutions, international human rights to international trade…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.4% of users find it useful
Ethics and International Relations
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Ethics and International Relations"

Ethics & International Relations Table of Contents Introduction Concept of Ethics Literature Review International Relations Theory and Ethics Conclusion Introduction International politics is a vast arena. It covers almost all aspects of diplomacy. From wars to revolutions, international human rights to international trade. It is important to understand international relations theory to make sense of international politics. International relations theory is combination of various aspects of international politics. It not only describes various aspects of international politics but it also imposes its own perspective. It is necessary to know all the stories of international politics to comprehend IR theory. These stories are actually related to different philosophies like realism, idealism, globalization and so on. 1These myths describe many things some may look reasonable and easy to understand whereas others may not look logical. But all these myths and narrative whether reasonable or not help us to understand the big games played between big powers. These myths also indicate that events taking place around the world are ethical and moral. These myths can also answer this important question: Can International Relations theory ever be truly ethical? Concept of Ethics Generally it is said that whatever rules of fair play are taught by religion and traditional values of society are called ethics. It is important to understand the comprehensive definition of ethics. A complete clarity about what ethics or morality is necessary since there are many confusing views presented by some philosophers. The modern views about ethics clarify much confusion. The modern views are: It is not necessary that ethics may be dictated by religions. It should not be contrary to realities of life. It is also not necessarily related to culture or society in some situations. Ethics actually tells how to live a successful but fair life by safeguarding one’s interests without harming others interests. Although it is debatable that what exact range should ethics cover. But majority of scholars agrees that it should be related to the particular concepts like vice, benefit, disgrace, obligation, duty, virtue etc. Many people look for ethical teachings in religion and tradition. But in contemporary world, these sources may not provide adequate answers. If they provide answers then they become controversial because of different interpretations. Similarly, culture also can not provide complete ethical answers in various situations. If the culture of a nation gives one interpretation then it is quite possible that culture of other nation may contradict it. But it is also true that most of the cultures have many common points to be agreed on. Almost all cultures accept and preach the common virtues like truth, honesty, steadfastness etc. It is therefore necessary to evolve a universal ethical theory. 2The universal values can take varied cultural forms in various places. Other ethical concepts can prove to be universal in reach but are presently argumentative. Scholars and intellectuals are busy in defining a universal code of ethics that may be accepted by majority of nations if not all. A famous scholar of IR thinks that culture is one of difficult words of language. It seems that everybody understand the term culture but none can define it comprehensively. This confusion with the definition of culture continues on international level. The talk about culture leads to usual debate within nations. Such debates never end, they continue at various levels and can not be concluded. If it can not be decided that what is culture then it is quite difficult to evolve a universal code of ethics on the basis of cultural values. That is why another renowned scholar that culture can not be restricted to few things like novels and paintings or comics. It is a set of practices the symbolic practices It can be easily said that IR theory is actually combination of cultural practices and their interaction. While studying IR theories as set of cultural practices and interactions, it would be easy to understand the international politics and its contradictions. IR theory also helps to understand these cultural stories in the perspective of international politics. Ideological background of nations also helps in cultural practices and thus makes IR theory more relevant. Ideologies of different nations can be easily defined. The international politics greatly depends upon ideological practices. International Relations Theory and Ethics As it has been discussed in the beginning, that International theory is a combination of myths of international politics. But these myths have to be true. 3So, the IR myths that are true in most cases can be called the basic units of IR theory. These true myths tell in detail about the various events of international politics. The first and agreed condition of ethics, the truth is thus incorporated in IR theory in most cases. Let us consider few examples that are used for being used as slogans for achieving the interests of major powers. The violation of Human Rights is the most important slogan used by western world to condemn their rivals. This slogan is not only used to condemns them but sometimes it is also used for imposing sanctions and even resorting to low level attacks and wars. The world is very informed now because of powerful media whether this information is correct or manipulated. But almost every well-informed citizen of the world know that major powers have double standards in terms of ethics in international relations. The human Rights violation by Russia in Chechnya is condemned by US but the violations in other parts of world done by allies is ignored. This clearly indicates the duplicity in international politics. The US can not be blamed alone for this type of duplicity many other nations are also involved in the similar practice. This myth of IR clearly indicates that ethics in real terms is certainly ignored in international politics. Whereas idealists feel that the nations should tell each other about their success stories and become straightforward in their policies so that chances of international conflicts may be reduced. This idea sounds very attractive but in real terms, it is very difficult to practice. While taking together, mainstream IR theory makes sense of the world by focusing on Human Rights Violations, and diplomatic practice in ways that draw on a particularly biased way of thinking about place, race, and. Conclusion Ideally, it seems difficult to separate the question of ethics from that of the political community. In a world of varied loyalties and alignments, the moral problems of the individual and nations are a source of distress and anxiety. These problems are often tackled by resorting to violence. Just because no one knows how to tackle them. The main reason is people often ignore rights of others in this pragmatic world just for the sake of their own petty interests. On the higher level nations, also have similar practices in international politics. Almost every nation in the world try to tackle their rivals by ignoring ethical values. They are just interested in getting their desired goals. Whether their petty interests are extremely harmful for other nations or countries. They just keep on pursuing their interests without considering the rights and interests of others. Just take example of globalization. Major economic powers are pressing the small countries for accepting the terms of WTO. These major powers also support their multinational corporations to get market share in developing countries. This support is so vigorous that it does not consider ethics. It shows that ethics or moral values have just no considerations. After going through all the arguments given above it can be said, that IR theory can not be ethical in most cases. However, if a comprehensive universal code of ethics is evolved in future and all nations rectify it then it can be said that IR theory may become ethical. Reference/Bibliography Attfield, R. & Wilkins, B. (Eds.). (1992). International Justice and the Third World: Studies in the Philosophy of Development. New York: Routledge. Bartelson, J. (2001). Baxter, B. (2004). A Theory of Ecological Justice. New York: Routledge. Coicaud, J. & Warner, D. (Eds.). (2001). Ethics and International Affairs : Extent and Limits /. New York: United Nations University Press. Friedrichs, J. (2004). European Approaches to International Relations Theory: A House with Many Mansions. New York: Routledge. Hollenbach, D. S. (2002). The Common Good and Christian Ethics. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Laclau, E., 1994, “Introduction”, in The Making of Political Identities, ed. La clau, E. London and New York: Verso, p. 5. Nye, J. S. (2004). Power in the Global Information Age: From Realism to Globalization. New York: Routledge. Rengger, N. J. (2000). International Relations, Political Theory, and the Problem of Order: Beyond International Relations Theory?. London: Routledge. Reus-Smit, C. (1999). The Moral Purpose of the State: Culture, Social Identity, and Institutional Rationality in International Relations. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Rosenthal, J. H. (2004). Ethics and Statecraft: The Moral Dimension of International Affairs (C. J. Nolan, Ed.). Westport, CT: Praeger. Shapcott, R. (2001). Justice, Community, and Dialogue in International Relations. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Smith, M. J., 1997, ‘Growing Up with Just and Unjust Wars: An Appreciation’, Ethics and International Affairs, Vol. 11, pp. 3–18 Smith, M. J., 1998, ‘Humanitarian Intervention: An Overview of the Ethical Issues’, Ethics and International Affairs, Vol. 12, pp. 63–80. Shaw, M. (Ed.). (1999). Politics and Globalisation: Knowledge, Ethics, and Agency. London: Routledge. Smith, K. E. & Light, M. (Eds.). (2001). Ethics and Foreign Policy. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. Weber, C. (2005). International Relations Theory: A Critical Introduction (2nd ed.). London: Routledge. Read More
Tags
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(Ethics and International Relations Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words, n.d.)
Ethics and International Relations Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words. https://studentshare.org/ethics/1536397-ethics-international-relations
(Ethics and International Relations Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words)
Ethics and International Relations Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words. https://studentshare.org/ethics/1536397-ethics-international-relations.
“Ethics and International Relations Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words”. https://studentshare.org/ethics/1536397-ethics-international-relations.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Ethics and International Relations

Detailed Analysis of Research Methods

hellip; Introduction: Social science has been found to possess a significant relation with the theories of international relations (IR) that has been reflected in the studies of Dunne, Kurki & Smith.... Research Methodology and its Perspectives in the Context of international relations:The philosophy of positivism has been found to have a significant effect on how researchers frame their studies on a particular subject like international relations, and thus form an appropriate problem statement and find solutions as part of the research work....
12 Pages (3000 words) Coursework

The Role of Scholars and Practitioners of International Politics in the International Realm

According to Frost (2003) and Mayall (2003), scholars of politics and international relations need to consider tragedy on a more serious ground than they have... It is, however, an anarchic system, which means that its various components have to figure out ways in which they are going This, therefore, creates a need for applying ethical theories that can ensure a clear line between practical and moral issues in the international relations scene.... In this paper, I will examine the roles scholars and practitioners of international politics envision for morality and justice in the international realm of the political....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Hospital improves patient case with data warehouse

The Ashgate Research Companion to Ethics and International Relations.... Scientific Realism and international relations.... We also need to understand here it is due to the consequences of actions of a state that international economic relations equate to international political relations (Sandra, Stones, and Benton).... Such analysts also tend to believe that international economic relations never really help are problematic and useless by default....
2 Pages (500 words) Case Study

Moral Use of Force

This essay entitled "Moral Use of Force" dwells on the phenomenon of force.... Admittedly, "From Jus ad Bellum to Jus ad Vim" evaluates the questions regarding the foreign formulations in the global continuum in which war remains the prevalent subject of ethical and moral concern.... hellip; The recent developments in the continuum of war including the imposition of a short war, entailing no-fly in zonal restrictions and development of pinpoint missile strikes as well as, CIA operations all constitute a relatively morally and ethically arousing issue for debate, as the text in this reflection outlines....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Ethics within the Study of International Relations

This paper "Ethics within the Study of international relations" discusses, a set of ethics that are both universally human and specifically applicable can create a study that has boundaries that respect the subject of the study, which will reduce any preconceived bias.... hellip; international relations are the tenuous raw materials that fashion history.... As a researcher undertakes the study of international relations, it becomes necessary to choose a foundation for the way in which the research is conducted....
10 Pages (2500 words) Literature review

Governance and International Relations: Lifeboat Ethics

The "Governance and international relations: Lifeboat Ethics" paper gives a good look at the lifeboat ethics which indeed is a way to find out where the resource distribution should be acknowledged and how this would mean sheer value for all the nations in the world.... nbsp; Philosophically, it is quintessential to understand the phenomenon behind the lifeboat ethics.... Since this lifeboat is on the move as it is in the ocean where hundreds of swimmers surround it, the 'ethics' element comes in when the dilemma arises with regards to the swimmers3....
7 Pages (1750 words) Term Paper

How Humanitarian Intervention Has Become an International Norm

"How Humanitarian Intervention Has Become an international Norm" paper describes how humanitarian intervention has become a global standard behaviour and norm, which many states from all continents such as America, Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia are willing or have to participate in.... Thus, this means humanitarian intervention is an international norm that every state is embracing globally.... nbsp;Various interventions that have happened globally indicate why humanitarian intervention is becoming an international norm....
9 Pages (2250 words) Coursework

Terrorism Morally Distinctive from War

The objective of this paper "Terrorism Morally Distinctive from War" is to show that there is nothing that makes terrorism morally distinctive from war.... Terrorism is not morally accepted such that we do not put into mind the political agendas of the individuals who take part in it.... nbsp;… Terrorism entails the affliction of some sort of pain so as to get something or to have something is done which is similar to war....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us