International Ethics: Concepts: Theories, and Cases in Global Politics

– Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1999. - xvi+230 p.What role do moral principles play in the conduct of foreign relations? First, morality helps define the goals and purposes of states and other actors. Moral norms do not provide policy directives, but they can offer a general vision and broad direction and provide the moral norms by which to illuminate and define a country's vital interests. As the late theologian John C. Bennett noted, moral values contribute to public policy debates on foreign policy goals by providing "ultimate perspectives, broad criteria, motives, inspirations, sensitivities, warnings, moral limits. "26 In effect, moral norms can establish the boundaries for policy deliberation and execution.