A while ago Tony Blair said that he was going to pursue an 'Ethical Foreign Policy'.
Is it possible or desirable for a country to pusue such a policy even when it is perceived to be against the 'National Interest'?
Or should governments always do what they think is best for their own people evn if it leads to the suffering and abuse of others?
It's difficult, but it's certainly possible and desirable. Economically, it makes no sense at all for a nation approaching the Attlee definition of full employment to be wasting what little spare capacity it has building landmines, clusterbombs and depleted uranium-filled bullets for sale to other countries, even if it wasn't deeply immoral in the first place.
Originally posted by ianpickeringIsn't UK foreign policy decided by the White House?
A while ago Tony Blair said that he was going to pursue an 'Ethical Foreign Policy'.
Is it possible or desirable for a country to pusue such a policy even when it is perceived to be against the 'National Interest'?
Or should governments always do what they think is best for their own people evn if it leads to the suffering and abuse of others?
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Originally posted by ivanhoeI am but a pale shadow of Bennet, but I do have a few thoughts. These are the starting points to a better world, but only a small list.
What are the principles or fundaments on which an ethical foreign policy should be built ?
Bbarr, any thoughts ?
A nation should have or should do:
1 - An unwaivering devotion to individual human rights. A foreign policy that tries to help those held captive by their governments is key to doing away with dictatorships.
2 - Treat others as you want them to treat you. Should I become a slave, help me. If you are a slave, depend on me to help you become free. Only a soul free of a slave master can have dignity and hope to obtain "equal justice".
3 - Be absolutely consistent. If you would not tolerate burning the bible or qu'ran in your place of government, don't accept it in other nations and dictatorships.
4 - Be generous. Spend more on helping the needy than on war. But don't give money to prop up dictators. (See Bob Geldof supporting the dictators in Etheopia)
5 - Be forgiving. If you must fight, get it overwith and get on with helping build a better world.
This is a very romantic notion and not very doable. Too much greed and pride (does) control the "networks of power" in our world.