Ethics As Foreign Policy

<p>Ethical foreign policy has often been considered utopian unrealistic and potentially very dangerous. Dan Bulley argues for a reconceptualisation of ethics as foreign policy as both look to how we can and ought to relate to others.</p><p>Inspired by the deconstructive thought of Jacques Derrida Bulley studies the ethical claims of British (1997-2007) and EU (1999-2004) foreign policy. These claims are read against themselves to illustrate their deep ambiguity. A textual analysis of speeches statements and interviews given by foreign policy makers shows that a responsibility to save ‘Africa’ to protect Iraqis and to hospitably welcome the Balkans into the EU are also irresponsible inhospitable and unethical. </p><p>The author contends that foreign policies making a claim to morality are ethical and unethical in their own terms suggesting that while a truly ethical foreign policy remains ultimately unachievable it does not justify abandoning a responsible relation to others. Rather a negotiation of ethics as foreign policy suggests potential individual context-bound decisions which remain open to contestation and permanent critique. Bulley argues that the goal of ethical foreign policy must be maintained as a productive hope of what is neither completely impossible nor entirely possible. </p>