PLT2950

International ethics in a divided world

Roger Spegele

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton

Objectives On successful completion of this subject students should be able to show that they have understood that there are certain widely-held myths concerning the relation of ethics and politics, and should be able to demonstrate their understanding of the major ethical theories of the West and how they impact on international relations.

Synopsis The claim that international relations has something to do with ethics and morality is widely held to be an oxymoron. This subject attempts to show that such a claim does not bear critical scrutiny. In particular, the subject establishes the way in which our understanding of ethics is bound up with a variety of other beliefs about world politics such as whether we are disposed to accept a liberal, realist or emancipatory view as our general conceptual framework.

Assessment Oral presentation(s) of topics: 15
* Essay (3000 words): 35%
* Examination (3 hours): 50%

Preliminary reading

Bailey P Bringing human rights to life Federation Press, 1993

Recommended texts

Beitz C S Political theory and international relations Princeton U P, 1979
Donnelly J Universal human rights in theory and practice Cornell U P 1989
Hoffman S Duties beyond borders Syracuse U P, 1981
Rawls J Political liberalism Columbia U P, 1993