Global Ethics Corner: Morgenthau and the New Administration

Jan 2, 2009

Should we observe Morgenthau's principles--avoid the crusading spirit and heed others' perspectives--or is promoting democracy and taking a forceful stand indispensable to U.S. foreign policy?

The great political-philosopher, Hans Morgenthau, defined a set of principles for diplomatic engagement. The basic rule is that diplomacy should serve national interests.

But, he qualified this with two principles: first, diplomacy should avoid the crusading spirit, and second, we should pay attention to the perspective of others.

Whether the national interest has been well served by American foreign policy recently is open to debate. But, since the end of the Cold War, in an overshadowed region, we have perhaps fallen short on the other two principles?

To many the rush to promote U.S.-style democracy in the space of the former Soviet Union smacks of a crusade.

Similarly, critics say that post-Cold War policies toward Russia have taken little account of the view from Moscow on NATO expansion or missile deployment.

What do you think? Should we heed Morgenthau's two principles or is promoting democracy and taking a forceful stand necessary for a genuinely American foreign policy?

Would a foreign policy implementing Morgenthau be more ethical than the past decades? Should the new administration define its foreign policy by pursuing national interest, avoiding the crusading spirit, and appreciating other's opinions?

By David C. Speedie

To post a comment, go to the Global Ethics Corner slideshow.

You may also like

CREDIT: Abobe/hamara.

SEP 25, 2024 Article

Politico Op-Ed: Walking a Fraying Nuclear Tightrope

In a new op-ed, Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal argues that a recommitment to nuclear arms control is nothing short of a moral imperative.

empty United Nations General Assembly hall

MAY 22, 2023 Article

Sitting on the Sidelines: The Global Divide on Ukraine

Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal reflects on the global divide in relation to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams tanks

FEB 6, 2023 Article

Ethics, Escalation, and Engagement in Ukraine and Beyond

Now that HIMAR and Patriot missiles as well as Leopard and Abrams tanks are on the way to Ukraine, NATO unity is at a high ...

未翻译

此内容尚未翻译成您的语言。您可以点击下面的按钮申请翻译。

要求翻译