This Article is Written by By Zeerak Jabeen[1] of Central University of Kashmir., Intern under Legal Vidhiya.
INTRODUCTION
International Morality refers to moral principles that have been accepted by various nations and are reflected in customary International Law. It serves as a factor or limitation in international relations by limiting a nation’s power and justifying its policies based on moral principles. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the nature of International Morality in international relations.[2] In society, human behavior is regulated by moral and legal norms that establish order and impose duties on individuals to respect the rights of others, thus enhancing freedom for all. Moral norms are enforced through social sanctions, while legal norms are enforced through the use of force. Together, these norms regulate human behavior for the greater good of society.[3]
In the international arena, the actions of nations are regulated by both International Law and International Morality, with the former serving as the legal code and the latter as the moral code. These codes are crucial limitations on the power of each nation and play a vital role in maintaining order in international relations. While International Law is a legal code, it does not have the same level of enforcement through the use of force as national laws do. As a result, International Law is closely related to International Morality, which includes customs, general principles of state behavior, and international comity, and has served as an important source of International Law.[4]
International morality refers to the basic principles and values that guide the behavior of nations towards each other, such as respect for human rights, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Diplomats protect international morality because it is essential for maintaining a stable and peaceful global community. Diplomats are representatives of their countries and are tasked with promoting and protecting their country’s interests, but they also have a responsibility to uphold international law and norms. When diplomats protect international morality, they are ensuring that their country’s actions are in line with accepted standards of behavior, which helps to build trust and cooperation between nations.[5]
Moreover, protecting international morality is also in the self-interest of nations. By upholding basic principles and values, nations can avoid conflict and promote stability, which in turn benefits their own citizens and economies. Diplomats, therefore, have a duty to promote international morality as a means of achieving lasting peace and prosperity. Diplomats protect international morality because it is essential for maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation between nations. Upholding basic principles and values benefits both individual nations and the global community as a whole, and it is the responsibility of diplomats to promote and protect these principles in their interactions with other nations.[6]
WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL MORALITY?
International Morality is a set of moral principles that have been supported by many nations, and are reflected in customary International Law. It has served as a significant source and sanction of International Law. The United Nations Charter incorporates International Morality in its provisions, including the call for respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination based on race, sex, language, or religion.[7] The importance of peace is also recognized universally, although there are conditions attached to it. War is generally considered immoral, and even when it is necessary, nations accept and follow restrictions on methods of waging it. This international code of moral values is commonly referred to as International Morality. The enforcement of International Morality is supported by two primary sanctions[8]:
- Domestic Public Opinion
- World Public Opinion
Domestic Public Opinion: Decision-makers in foreign policy adhere to the principles of International Morality both because of their personal sense of morality and because of the pressures of domestic public opinion. The goal of promoting a stable and peaceful world is similarly driven by both individual conscience and the influence of public opinion within their own country.
World Public Opinion: Foreign policy makers comply with the standards of International Morality not only based on their own sense of morality but also due to the influence of domestic public opinion. The pursuit of a stable and peaceful world is also motivated by personal moral convictions and the pressure of public opinion within their country.
A nation’s ability to accomplish its goals in international relations relies on both its power and the support of others, and the more support it has, the less power it needs. Nations strive to ensure their policies are accepted by world public opinion, and each nation aims to demonstrate respect for the views of humanity. Consequently, they are usually willing to adhere to and follow the principles of International Morality.
There are three distinct perspectives regarding the existence of International Morality[9]:
- The idea that there is no moral code of conduct in international relations has emerged due to the absence of an absolute and universally accepted standard of what is right and wrong. This viewpoint denies the existence of a perfect and complete International Morality.
- However, many scholars disagree with the aforementioned perspective and argue that there is a moral code of international behavior, albeit weak. They believe that the same moral standards that govern individual behavior should also apply to group relations, including those between states, international organizations, and independent individuals. Thus, they propose that personal codes can serve as international moral standards.
- Schleicher argues that despite the different views on the existence of an international moral code, there is definitely one in international relations, although it may not be as perfect as the moral codes of various societies. He acknowledges that some scholars deny the existence of an international moral code due to the absence of a universally accepted standard of right and wrong. Others suggest that personal moral codes can serve as international moral standards, while some argue that there is a double standard of morals between interpersonal and intergroup norms. However, Schleicher maintains that just as international law exists, so does an international moral code in international relations.
INTERNATIONAL MORALITY AND ITS ROLE
International Morality plays a significant role in international politics, acting as a limiting factor on the power of nations and influencing the decisions of international decision-makers. Therefore, it is essential for students of international politics to analyze the actual impact of International Morality on international relations. The role of International Morality can be viewed in three dimensions[10]:
- the protection of human life during times of peace,
- the protection of human life during times of war, and
- the moral condemnation of war.
- The Protection of Human life during times of Peace: The protection of human life in times of peace is one of the dimensions of the role of International Morality in International Politics. International Politics, which involves the continuous efforts to maintain and increase a nation’s power while keeping other nations in check, used to allow for any means necessary to achieve these objectives, including mass or selective killings. However, today, due to the pressure of International Morality, no nation can resort to such means. Immoral methods of achieving political ends are now restricted by moral limitations, which act as strong barriers against them. The respect for human life is now considered a sacred principle of international relations.
- The Protection of Human life during times of War: In modern times, nations are expected to adhere to moral principles even during times of war, which includes respecting the right to life of civilians and non-combatants. The concept of war being a contest between only the armies of the belligerent states has become prevalent since the mid-19th century, and the distinction between combatants and non-combatants is now a fundamental legal and moral principle. It is now considered a moral and legal duty to not purposely attack, wound or kill non-combatant civilians. The Hague Conventions and the Geneva Convention have provided legal sanction to this principle. The humane treatment of prisoners of war is also a moral obligation, which is legally enforced by conventions such as the Geneva Convention. The International Red Cross represents the institutional realization of these international moral convictions, which have their roots in the humanization of warfare.
- The Moral Condemnation of War: The third dimension of the role of international morality in international politics is the moral condemnation of war. In recent times, statesmen have come to recognize that moral limitations restrict the use of war as an instrument of foreign policy. While the justification for war has historically been framed in terms of self-defense or religious duty, the avoidance of war itself has become an aim of statecraft since the late 19th century. Various legal instruments and organizations, such as the Hague Peace Conferences, the League of Nations, the Kellogg-Briand Pact, and the United Nations, have accepted the avoidance of war as an objective. These instruments and organizations are founded on the conviction that war, particularly a modern total war, is not only an undesirable thing to be avoided for practical reasons but also a morally reprehensible act. The condemnation of war has thus become a significant principle in international relations, underscoring the role of morality in shaping international politics.
Therefore, the significance of International Morality in current international relations cannot be ignored. It acts as a constraint on the exercise of national power. The recognition of the necessity to uphold international peace and to strive towards enhancing the well-being of all people has heightened the relevance of morality in international affairs.
DIPLOMATS AND THEIR ROLE IN PROTECTING INTERNATIONAL MORALITY
Diplomacy is the process of managing international relations through discussions and negotiations in order to promote peaceful interactions among nations. While this is the commonly accepted definition, diplomacy also encompasses a broader range of practices, institutions, and discussions that are essential to understanding the historical development of the international system and its changing needs in terms of functionality and norms.[11] A diplomat is an official envoy of his/her country in a foreign state. His/her primary role is to serve as a channel of communication between his/her own foreign office and the foreign government to which he/she is assigned. Often, the diplomat is viewed as the embodiment of the country he/she represents, and the impression he/she makes is used to evaluate that country.[12]
Diplomats play a crucial role in protecting and promoting international morality in the realm of international relations. International morality refers to the ethical and moral principles and values that underlie the interactions and conduct of states and their representatives in the international arena. These principles include respect for human rights, protection of human life, prohibition of genocide and crimes against humanity, adherence to international law, and the pursuit of peace and justice. [13]Diplomats are the primary representatives of their respective states in the international arena and are tasked with promoting their country’s interests while also upholding international norms and values. They engage in a range of activities, such as negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution, which require a deep understanding of international norms and morality. In doing so, they act as the guardians of international morality, ensuring that states and their representatives conduct themselves in a manner consistent with international law and ethical standards. One of the key roles of diplomats in protecting international morality is to promote respect for human rights. Diplomats are often involved in negotiations and discussions that address human rights issues, such as the treatment of refugees, the protection of minorities, and the prevention of torture and abuse. They advocate for their countries to respect human rights and also work to ensure that other states and international actors adhere to their obligations under international human rights law.[14]
Diplomats also play a key role in preventing and resolving conflicts, which is an essential aspect of protecting international morality. They use their diplomatic skills to facilitate dialogue and negotiations between parties to a conflict, with the aim of achieving a peaceful resolution. In doing so, they help to prevent violence and protect human life, and they also work to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights. Moreover, diplomats also work to uphold international legal norms and values. They ensure that their countries comply with their international obligations, including those under international humanitarian law, and they also encourage other states to do the same.[15] They also promote the use of international legal mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court, to hold individuals and states accountable for violations of international law and to deter future violations. One of the primary reasons why diplomats protect international morality is to maintain the credibility and reputation of their country. Diplomats are often the public face of their countries, and any behavior that is seen as unethical or immoral can damage the reputation of their country. In order to avoid such consequences, diplomats strive to uphold international morality and work towards the greater good of all nations.[16]
Moreover, diplomats protect international morality because it is their duty to do so. Diplomacy is based on the principle of mutual respect and recognition of the sovereignty of nations. As such, diplomats are obliged to respect the values and principles of other nations, just as they expect other nations to respect their own values and principles. By promoting and upholding international morality, diplomats can ensure that their actions are in accordance with the principles of diplomacy and that they act in the best interests of their countries.[17]
CONCLUSION
International morality refers to a set of ethical principles and values that govern the behavior of nations in their dealings with one another. It involves the recognition of human rights, respect for international law, and the promotion of peace and justice in the global community.
Diplomats protect international morality because they play a crucial role in representing their countries on the international stage and in negotiating agreements that uphold these ethical principles. They are responsible for promoting their country’s interests while also upholding international norms and standards of behavior. Diplomats have a unique perspective on the global community and the complex relationships between nations. They are often called upon to mediate disputes between countries and to negotiate agreements that promote peace and stability. In doing so, they must balance the interests of their own country with the needs and concerns of the international community as a whole.[18]
Diplomats also work to promote human rights and to protect vulnerable populations from harm. They advocate for the fair treatment of prisoners of war, refugees, and other marginalized groups. They work to prevent conflict and to promote peaceful resolution of disputes, recognizing that war and violence often have devastating consequences for innocent civilians. In essence, diplomats protect international morality because they recognize that upholding these principles is not only the right thing to do, but it is also in the best interest of their own countries. Promoting peace and stability in the global community benefits all nations and helps to ensure a more just and equitable world for future generations.
[1] The Author is a student of Law at Central University of Kashmir.
[2] Arthur Ponsonby, International Morality, 25(2), International Journal of Ethics, 143-164(1954)
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Keith Hamilton and Richant Langhorne, The Practice of Diplomacy, (1995).
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Quincy Wrights, The Study of International Relations Nicholson(1955), Harold (1952). Diplomacy (2nd edition).
[9] Ibid.
[10] International Morality: Role of International Morality in International Politics, https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/international-politics/international-morality-role-of-international-morality-in-international-politics/48485 accessed on 28 April 2023.
[11] Palmer and Perkins,International Relations, (2007) (Third Revised Edition). India: A.I.T.B.S. Publisher
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Harold Nicolson, Evolution of Diplomatic Method, (1956).
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Supra note. 11
[18] Supra note. 10
[17] Supra note. 11
[18] Supra note. 10
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