Ethics in International Relations, Need, Components, Significance

Ethics in International Relations is about understanding what is right and wrong in how countries deal with each other. It studies moral principles like justice, fairness and human rights in diplomacy, war, trade and global cooperation. This helps countries make decisions that are not just powerful, but also responsible and fair.

Ethics in International Relations

Ethics in International Relations is the study of moral principles that guide how countries, international organizations and other global actors behave. It focuses on what is right and fair in areas like diplomacy, war, trade and global cooperation. Leaders need to balance their national interests with justice, human rights and responsibility toward the world. Understanding these ethical principles helps promote peace, cooperation and sustainable development in a connected world.

Ethics in International Relations Need

• At first, countries and multinational companies crossed borders mainly for trade and political relations. Each country dealt with its own problems based on its laws, culture and government.
• Over time, globalization increased connections among nations. Problems like climate change, economic crises and pandemics began affecting many countries together, creating shared responsibilities.
• Many global issues cannot be solved by one country alone. They require cooperation among nations, international organizations and multinational companies. International ethics provides moral guidance for such cooperation.
• International ethics helps guide decisions in war, peace talks and conflict resolution. It also supports global efforts to address common problems like ozone depletion and global warming.
• The international space now includes governments (both democratic and non-democratic), multinational corporations, NGOs and civil society groups. All these actors influence global decision-making.
• Resources like the environment, oceans and shared economic systems are common goods. Their protection requires collective responsibility and fair participation.
• Who gets a voice in international decision-making and who is excluded affects justice and fairness in global relations. Differences in power can lead to competition, conflict, or harm.
• Since actions of one country or organization can impact others, strong ethical principles like respect for human rights and justice are necessary to maintain peace and cooperation in the global system.

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Ethics in International Relations Development

• The Peace of Westphalia (1648) introduced ideas like state sovereignty and non-interference, forming the base for ethical rules between nations.
• After World War II, documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) strengthened moral principles such as equality, dignity and justice at the global level.
• Increased economic, political and environmental interdependence created new ethical challenges, requiring countries to think beyond narrow national interests.
• Institutions like the United Nations helped frame international laws and norms to promote peace, cooperation and responsible state behavior.
• International NGOs and advocacy groups have pushed governments to follow ethical standards, especially in areas like human rights and environmental protection.

Different Schools of International Ethics

They explain how moral values and principles shape relations between countries. They offer different viewpoints on power, justice, cooperation and human rights in global politics. These approaches help us understand ethical debates in international relations.

Realism

• Realism believes that power and national interest are the most important factors in international relations.
• It gives very little importance to morality, ethics, human rights or international law.
• Since there is no world government, countries act in a self-help system where each state tries to protect and increase its own power.
• Nations form alliances to balance powerful states and war is seen as a possible way to settle conflicts and maintain order.
• Realism explains global power politics but gives limited space to justice and ethical values in world affairs.

Idealism

• Idealism focuses on common interests and cooperation between nations rather than only power.
• It believes countries can work together through shared values like peace, justice and human welfare.
• Ethics, morality, international law and global institutions play an important role in maintaining international order.
• Organizations like the United Nations and international treaties support cooperation and peaceful solutions.
• Idealism promotes trade, interdependence and dialogue to reduce conflicts, though it does not completely deny the possibility of war.

Liberalism

• Liberalism gives importance to the individual and human rights.
• Believes all humans are morally equal.
• Supports democracy, rule of law and peaceful cooperation.
• Trusts that institutions and political systems can improve over time.

Constructivism

• Constructivism says international relations are shaped by ideas, beliefs and national identities, not just power or economic interests.
• A country’s foreign policy is influenced by its history, culture, domestic politics and sense of identity.
• Nations strongly protect their sovereignty and identity and may resist global changes if they feel their identity is threatened.
• Identity politics (religion, culture, nationalism) can influence global relations and sometimes create tensions or conflicts.
• Constructivism highlights the importance of respecting identities while promoting dialogue and mutual understanding in international relations.

Cosmopolitanism

• Cosmopolitanism believes that all human beings belong to one global community and should be treated with equal moral respect.
• It encourages countries to “do the right thing” and behave towards others as they expect others to behave towards them.
• It supports the development of global values, international laws and ethical rules through cooperation and dialogue.
• It gives more importance to individual rights and human dignity than to national borders or state sovereignty.
• Some nations may resist cosmopolitan ideas if they feel it limits their sovereignty or national interests.

Neorealism

• Given by Kenneth Waltz.
• Focuses on the structure of the international system, not human nature.
• Since there is no world government (anarchy), states mainly try to survive and remain secure.
• Power is seen as a tool for security, not for domination.
• Countries observe the global balance of power and adjust their policies accordingly.

Neoliberalism (Liberal Institutionalism)

• Stresses the importance of cooperation and international institutions.
• Organizations like the UN and WTO help reduce conflicts and build trust.
• Democracies are believed to cooperate more and fight less with each other.
• Supports rules, treaties and dialogue for long-term peace.

Feminism

• Highlights the role of gender in global politics.
• Argues that traditional IR focuses too much on male-dominated power politics.
• Demands equal representation of women in peacebuilding, diplomacy and decision-making.
• Expands ethics to include issues like gender justice and human security.

International Ethics Key Sources

• International Law
  • Rules made through treaties, agreements and conventions guide how countries should behave.
  • Documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) set basic rights and freedoms for all people.
  • International law provides a legal and moral base for global conduct.
• Universal Moral Values
  • Some values are accepted across the world, beyond culture or nationality.
  • These include human dignity, equality, justice and non-discrimination.
  • They form the moral foundation of global human rights and justice systems.
• Religious and Philosophical Ideas
  • Religious teachings and philosophical thoughts influence global ethics.
  • For example, the Just War Theory gives moral rules about war.
  • India’s foreign policy is often linked to the idea of Ahimsa (non-violence).
• International Institutions
  • Organizations like the United Nations (UN) promote ethical standards among countries.
  • Initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reflect global commitment to reduce poverty, protect the environment and ensure equality.
• Ethical Foreign Policy Practices
  • Countries sometimes act based on moral responsibility.
  • For example, India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative during COVID-19 showed humanitarian support to other nations.
• Global Public Opinion and Civil Society
  • Public movements and NGOs influence governments to act ethically.
  • Campaigns for climate action, human rights and fair trade push states toward responsible behaviour.
• Academic and Intellectual Debates
  • Scholars, think tanks and universities discuss and develop ethical theories.
  • Their research helps shape policies and global ethical standards.

International Ethics Major Challenges

• Human Rights vs Cultural Differences
  • Debate whether human rights are universal or should depend on culture and traditions.
  • Dilemma between protecting human rights and respecting state sovereignty.
  • Selective intervention by powerful nations raises questions of fairness.
• Sovereignty vs Humanitarian Intervention
  • States have the right to govern without outside interference.
  • But the world also feels moral pressure to stop genocide, ethnic cleansing and mass violence.
  • The principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) remains controversial.
• War, Terrorism and Global Security
  • Ethical questions about when war is justified (Just War Theory).
  • Civilian deaths, war crimes and accountability remain major concerns.
  • Some countries follow double standards in defining and fighting terrorism.
• Global Inequality and Economic Justice
  • Rich nations dominate trade, finance, IMF, World Bank and WTO decisions.
  • Poor countries suffer from unfair trade, debt burden and resource exploitation.
  • Ethical issue: Should wealthy nations provide debt relief and fairer opportunities?
• Climate Change and Environmental Justice
  • Developed countries contributed most to global warming, but poorer nations suffer more.
  • Disputes over climate finance, “common but differentiated responsibilities,” and loss & damage funds.
  • Protection of global commons like oceans, atmosphere, Antarctica and outer space is a shared duty.
• Refugees and Migration
  • Millions are displaced due to war, poverty and disasters.
  • Countries face a dilemma between national security and humanitarian responsibility.
  • Ethical question: Should states prioritize citizens or global human needs?
• Power Imbalance in Global Institutions
  • UN Security Council veto power creates inequality.
  • Developing nations have limited say in global decision-making.
  • Raises concerns about fairness and democratic deficit.
• Technology and Cyber Ethics
  • Cyber warfare, hacking, digital surveillance and misinformation create new ethical problems.
  • Lack of clear global rules for cyber security and biotechnology.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)
  • Strict patent rules sometimes limit access to life-saving medicines and technology.
  • Ethical debate between profit rights and global welfare.
• Genocide and Mass Atrocities
  • Despite international conventions, genocides still occur.
  • Delayed action and vague global response mechanisms weaken justice.

International Ethics Key Components

• Human Rights
  • Protection of basic rights like life, freedom, equality and dignity is central to international ethics.
  • Countries and global bodies are morally expected to prevent torture, discrimination and oppression.
• Justice and Fairness
  • Resources, opportunities and responsibilities should be shared fairly among nations.
  • Includes correcting past injustices (like colonial exploitation) and ensuring fair global decision-making processes.
• Environmental Responsibility
  • Nations must protect the environment and promote sustainable development.
  • Ethical duty to safeguard the rights of future generations.
  • Climate justice debates highlight unequal responsibilities between developed and developing countries.
• Peace and Security
  • War should be the last option.
  • If war occurs, it must follow moral rules (protect civilians, proportional force).
  • Peacebuilding and conflict resolution are ethical priorities.
• Sovereignty and Non-Intervention
  • Countries should respect each other’s independence.
  • However, intervention may be morally debated in cases of genocide or serious human rights violations.
• Global Cooperation
  • Global problems like pandemics, poverty and climate change require collective action.
  • Solidarity among nations strengthens ethical global governance.
• Equality of Nations
  • All countries, big or small, should have a fair voice in international institutions.
  • Criticism exists about unequal power structures like veto power in the UN Security Council.
• Transparency and Accountability
  • International organizations and states must act openly and be answerable for their actions.
  • Double standards in global justice weaken ethical credibility.
• Non-Discrimination
  • No discrimination based on race, religion, nationality or gender in global policies.
  • Refugee protection and humanitarian aid should follow this principle.

Ethics in International Relations Significance

• Ethics promotes peace and stability by encouraging dialogue and negotiation instead of war, helping in peaceful conflict resolution.
• It ensures protection of human rights and supports justice and fairness in global issues like inequality, climate change and fair distribution of resources.
• Following ethical principles like sovereignty and non-interference builds trust, legitimacy and stronger international cooperation.
• Ethics guides countries in handling global crises such as refugee problems and pandemics and helps balance national interest with global responsibility.

Mains PYQs

Q1. Strength, Peace and Security are considered to be the pillars of International Relations. Elucidate. (UPSC 2017) (150 Words, 10 Marks)

Q2. ‘International aid’ is an accepted form of helping ‘resource-challenged’ nations. Comment on ‘ethics in contemporary international aid; Support your answer with suitable examples. (UPSC 2023) (150 Words, 10 Marks)