Ethics and Activism

How should and how do democratic citizens behave when governments act unjustly? Do they respond aggressively armed with universal concern for the rights and interests of all citizens or are they acting from narrow concerns based on special interests and sectarian loyalties? To answer these questions the author explores social activism on three continents: Jewish rescue in Europe during World War II abortion politics in the United States and peace and settler activism in Israel. The answer challenges the strong moral role we often attribute to responsible citizens and emphasizes the competitive and parochial nature of morally inspired activism.