Of no use for a new world order, is the mere
success ethics of the political realists,
for whom the political end justifies every means, hallowing even such immoral means as lying,
deceit, betrayal, political murder and resort to war.
Likewise of no use for a new world order, is the mere
conviction ethics of the political idealists,
who are so much taken up with their high moral motives and good intentions
(e.g. “national unity”, “freedom”, “human rights”)
that they give little thought to the real balance of power, to possibilities of concrete
implementation or possible negative consequences of their efforts.
What is needed for a new world order is an
ethic of responsibility. (more)
Such an ethic presupposes moral convictions, but it asks realistically about predictable (negative)
consequences of a particular policy and takes responsibility for them. The art of politics in the
post-modern paradigm consists in combining political calculation (of modern realpolitik) convincingly
with ethical judgment (of idealpolitik).
