The Three Perspectives of Ethics in International Relations
When it comes to ethics in international relations, there are three dominant perspectives: realism, liberalism, and constructivism.
- The first is the realistic perspective which suggests that a country’s national interest should be at the centre of its decision-making process.
- The second is a liberal perspective which promotes freedom, democracy, rule of law, civil rights and human rights.
- Lastly, the third is a constructivist perspective which argues that the norms and practices of social interactions influence state behaviour.
However, they all share one common ground: moral considerations must not hinder or contradict political ones. Moral considerations can however guide policy decisions but only if they coincide with political interests
Ethical Issues in International Relations and Funding
We all like to think that we operate ethically and in good faith, but often these standards fall short, resulting in serious harm to others in the process. This happens at both the international level and on an individual basis, so many experts are examining these issues to help people determine what kind of conduct and approaches are acceptable in the future. Here are some ethical issues in international relations and funding that may surprise you but should serve as reminders of what’s acceptable or unacceptable when conducting business with other countries or organizations.
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