Ethics and Foreign Policy

An exploration of 'ethical foreign policy', instruments of ethical foreign policy-making, and three case studies.

Karen E. Smith (Edited by), Margot Light (Edited by)

9780521804158, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 September 2001

236 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.52 kg

'This book makes an important contribution to the growing literature on ethics and international affairs.' International Affairs

The promotion of human rights, the punishment of crimes against humanity, the use of force with respect to humanitarian intervention: these are some of the complex issues facing governments in recent years. The contributors to this book offer a theoretical and empirical approach to these issues. Three leading normative theorists first explore what an 'ethical foreign policy' means. Four contributors then look at potential or actual instruments of ethical foreign policy-making: the export of democracy, non-governmental organisations, the International Criminal Court, and bottom-up public pressure on governments. Finally, three case studies examine more closely developments in the foreign policies of the US, the UK, and the European Union, to assess the difficulties raised by the incorporation of ethical considerations into foreign policy.

Introduction Karen E. Smith and Margot Light
Part I. Theories: 1. Ethics, interests and foreign policy Chris Brown
2. The ethics of humanitarian intervention: protecting civilians to make democratic citizenship possible Mervyn Frost
3. A pragmatic perspective on ethical foreign policy Molly Cochran
Part II. Instruments and Policies: 4. Exporting democracy Margot Light
5. Ethical foreign policies and human rights: dilemmas for non-governmental organisations Margo Picken
6. The international criminal court Spyros Economides
7. Constructing an ethical foreign policy: analysis and practice from below Karin Fierke
Part III. Case Studies: 8. The United States and the ethics of post-modern war Christopher Coker
9. Blair's Britain: a force for good in the world? Tim Dunne and Nicholas Wheeler
10. The EU, human rights and relations with third countries: 'foreign policy' with an ethical dimension? Karen E. Smith.

Subject Areas: International humanitarian law [LBBS], International law [LB], Non-governmental organizations [NGOs JPWH], International relations [JPS], Political structures: democracy [JPHV], Political science & theory [JPA], Politics & government [JP], Social & political philosophy [HPS]