Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
7. Examine the reasons behind morality having little effect in regulating the attitude of nations towards one another? (250 words)
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications
Why the question:
The question is about assessing the interlink between morality and its effect on attitude of one nation towards another.
Key Demand of the question:
One must examine the reasons behind morality having little effect in regulating the attitude of nations towards one another.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Ethical decision-making can be more challenging for international relations than local operations. It means morality has little effect in regulating the attitude of nations.
Body:
The answer body must present the reasons for the assertion in question such as –
Formulating foreign policies is the responsibility of governments. Thus moral consideration in the foreign policy depends on the government, not on an individual or the citizenry at large (though in well-functioning democracies the will of the people is usually expressed by the government).
The government is an agent, not a principal. Its primary obligation is to ensure the interests of the society it represents, not to the moral impulses that individual elements of that society may experience.
Nation states are usually concerned with their military security, territorial unity and integrity, and the well-being of their people. With these and other priorities, morality usually takes a backseat.
Conclusion:
Conclude with fair and balanced opinion.
