Politics, Aristotle reminds us, is an extension of ethics. This is no less true of international politics, as Amstutz amply demonstrates in this informative book. By combining a discussion of competing ethical traditions with an analysis of key issues, and illustrating these by means of concrete cases, Amstutz provides an excellent guide for those who desire greater insight into the role of moral judgment in foreign affairs. (Luis Lugo )
First rate. . . . This book delivers what it promises: an excellent overview of important theoretical arguments in the field, as well as historically relevant, lucid case studies. . . . It is a delight to read. (Rosenthal, Joel H. )
Amstutz effectively uses many post–Cold War case studies to demonstrate that moral considerations are integral to the conduct of international relations. He carefully distinguishes between law, morality, and ethics and identifies patterns of conflict and consensus in relating ethics to the major issue areas. Deftly connecting theory and practice and drawing extensively on the literature, this is a comprehensive yet readable treatment of a demanding subject. (Hoffmann, Stephen )
Amstutz's book is a 'must read' for those interested in global social justice. The author's ethics-based approach, often overlooked by many scholars, will provide a provocative basis for discussion in foreign policy and international relations courses. (Michele Zebich-Knos )
Amstutz's insistence on the central place of morality is a welcome and well-reasoned addition to the liberal-realist debate in international theory. Amstutz animates his treatise with more than a dozen short representative case studies ranging from U.S.intervention in Haiti to Thucydides's History of the Peloponnesian War. Supplementary examples are useful and illustrative, especially the intricate weave of morality and ethics issues from nuclear weapons and the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) to the problems of human rights abuses and the application of economic sanctions. Highly recommended... (
Choice )
Amstutz's insistence on the central place of morality is a welcome and well-reasoned addition to the liberal-realist debate in international theory. Amstutz animates his treatise with more than a dozen short representative case studies ranging from U.S. intervention in Haiti to Thucydides's History of the Peloponnesian War. Supplementary examples are useful and illustrative, especially the intricate weave of morality and ethics issues from nuclear weapons and the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) to the problems of human rights abuses and the application of economic sanctions. Highly recommended. (
Choice )
Provides a well-written overview of key debates, which effectively employs a number of post-Cold War case studies to generate a series of 'moral reflections' on international ethical dilemmas. (
International Affairs )
A useful tool and starting point for teachers and students of normative International Relations. Amstutz successfully demonstrates that the study of international ethics requires not just knowledge of moral theory but also the wisdom to apply principles to thorny practical and political decisions. (
Millennium: Journal Of International Studies )
On rare occasions one comes across a book that functions excellently as a textbook, and that also has the conceptual clarity and sophistication to enlighten even the most senior of researchers and professors. Mark R. Amstutz has written such a book. (
Journal Of Peace Research )
This compact 5x9 volume is what students in our introductory courses in international relations need to guide them through the ethics/morality components of their study. . . . Although Amstutz handles the abstractions with aplomb, the reader's interest is constantly captured by an abundance of concrete background comment. . . . It's remarkable how much detail Amstrutz packed into his short volume. I'm an emeritus professor now--only that I had this sleek volume to complement my teaching that ethical considerations do play an important role in global politics. Yes, as Mark Amstrutz says in his last chapter, 'Ethics Matter.' (Harold Guetzkow )
