The Tragic Vision of Politics Ethics, Interests and Orders [Hardcover]

An exploration of how ethical behaviour in international affairs advances national security.Is it possible to follow ethical policies while preserving national security? It is often said that effective politics does not allow the luxury of ethical behaviour. In this boo k, Richard Ned Lebow seeks to show that ethics are in fact conducive to the pursuit of national interests. Reinterpreting the writings of central figures in the history of 'realpolitik', he argues that national interests are framed in the language of justice, and points out the dangers arising from the unilateral exercise of American power in the post-Cold War world.Is it possible to follow ethical policies while preserving national security? It is often said that effective politics does not allow the luxury of ethical behaviour. In this boo k, Richard Ned Lebow seeks to show that ethics are in fact conducive to the pursuit of national interests. Reinterpreting the writings of central figures in the history of 'realpolitik', he argues that national interests are framed in the language of justice, and points out the dangers arising from the unilateral exercise of American power in the post-Cold War world.Is it possible to advocate ethical policies to preserve national security? Contrary to some beliefs, Richard Ned Lebow demonstrates that ethics are conducive to the pursuit of national interests. Reinterpreting the writings of key figures in the history of realpolitik , he argues that national interests are framed in the language of justice, and indicates the dangers arising from the unilateral exercise of American power in the post-Cold War world.1. Nixon in Hell; 2. Tragedy and politics; 3. Thucydides and war; 4. Thucydides and civilization; 5. Carl von Clausewitz; 6. Hans J. Morgenthau; 7. The wisdom of classical realism; 8. Running red lights and ruling the world; 9. Tragedy and scholarship. Ned Lebow has written a book of exceptional reach, insight, learning and ambition. Thucydides provides lã1