Role of Ethics & Emotions in World Politics 

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations; GS4/Ethics

Context

• Recent events in the geopolitics of West Asia, the Israel–Hamas conflict, and disputes around India’s strategic autonomy have reignited questions about whether IR is governed simply by national interest or also by ethics, emotions, and moral legitimacy.

About International Relations (IR): Beyond National Interest

• Traditionally, the study of International Relations (IR) has been conceptualised as a field which is primarily concerned with issues of power, security and national interest.
  • Diplomacy is full of words like deterrence, balance of power, strategic autonomy and security.
• But the current global crises prove that foreign policy is not just driven by strategic interests but also by ethics, emotion, identity and public opinion.

Evolution of International Relations

• Western Intellectual Influence: Modern IR grew mainly under the impact of Western research, especially after the Second World War.
• International Relations (IR) has been famously described by Stanley Hoffmann as ‘an American Social Science’.
• Modern theories, institutions, and diplomatic conventions were formed by European colonial supremacy and subsequent American intellectual leadership.
• Hans J. Morgenthau, the father of Classical Realism, argued that foreign policy was based on national interest and power.

Growing Importance of Ethics and Emotions

• Ethics refers to moral principles and values that guide the behavior of states, leaders and institutions in world politics.
• Emotions refers to feelings such as empathy, fear, pride, anger and compassion that influence the perceptions and decisions of leaders and societies.
• Recent scholars have argued that reason and emotion should be compatible, not antagonistic.
• According to Neta Crawford, emotions like fear, grief, wrath, embarrassment, empathy and pride are hugely influential in political decision-making.
  • These feelings help to construct perceptions of threat, national identity, policy choices, and popular support for conflicts.
• Brent Sasley contends that leaders make decisions within a social and political environment, in which identity and collective emotions shape state behaviour.

Why Ethics & Emotions Matter?

• Shape Foreign Policy: Ethics have been part of world politics throughout history. Values and feelings influence how states choose friends, resolve conflicts and build cooperation.
  • During the Cold War, the United States presented itself as the champion of democracy, human rights and individual liberty.
  • The Soviet Union was portrayed as representing authoritarianism.
• Drive Public Opinion: Emotions of people (e.g., anger, sympathy, pride) can influence governments and international outcomes.
• Promote Peace & Justice: Ethics encourage respect for human rights, dignity and international law.
• Build Trust & Solidarity: Empathy and moral responsibility foster global partnerships on shared challenges.

How Ethics & Emotions Influence World Politics?

• Decision-Making: Leaders’ ethical beliefs and emotional reactions affect choices in crises, wars and negotiations.
• Conflict & Cooperation: Emotions like fear, or hatred can fuel conflicts, while empathy and forgiveness can help in reconciliation.
• Global Norms: Ethical ideas shape international laws, treaties and institutions (e.g., Human Rights, Climate Justice, Responsibility to Protect).
• Soft Power: Moral values and emotional appeal enhance a country’s image and influence (e.g., non-violence, humanitarian help, cultural diplomacy).

Ethical Perspective on Globalisation

• Globalisation promised economic interdependence, shared prosperity, and international cooperation.
  • It helped in expansion of trade, technological advancement, and poverty reduction in several regions.
• However, lingering inequalities between the Global North and the Global South, unequal distribution of the gains and unfulfilled ethical promises of inclusive development.

Why Ethics Matter in the Digital Age

• Modern conflicts unfold under unprecedented global observation because of artificial intelligence, social media, digital journalism, citizen reporting, transnational activism and immediate communication.
• It results in the direct visibility of civilian suffering, increased influence of public opinion on diplomacy and higher accountability of governments.

Contemporary Challenges in International Relations

• National Interest vs. Ethics: States are often in the difficult position of having to balance strategic goals with humanitarian principles and international law.
• Strategic Autonomy and Global Expectations: Countries like India have to make independent decisions on foreign policy, but they also have to respond to global crises and to pressure from the great powers.
• Humanitarian Crisis and Public Opinion: Global public opinion is increasingly judging conflicts (e.g. Gaza, Ukraine) through real time media coverage.
• Escalating Power Rivalries: As great powers become increasingly rivals (e.g. US – China, Russia – West) it becomes more difficult for the world to work together.
• Technology and Information Warfare: Artificial Intelligence, cyberattack, misinformation and digital monitoring are transforming diplomacy and security.
• Reforming Global Governance: The UN and WTO are facing pressure to restructure to better represent the Global South and tackle current concerns.
• Climate Change and Non-Traditional Security Threats: Collective international action beyond traditional military responses is needed for climate change, pandemics, terrorism and energy instability.

India’s Perspective

• Indian Foreign Policy: India has always emphasised Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (taken from Maha Upanishad), strategic autonomy, democratic principles, pluralism and anti-colonial legacy.
• Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): It was more than just a geopolitical option in the Cold War. It stood for sovereign equality, peaceful co-existence, non-alignment and the desire for an equitable international order.
• Moral Capital of India: India’s worldwide image is enhanced by its stature as the world’s largest democracy, its constitutional principles, cultural diversity, rule of law, peaceful coexistence and responsible involvement in the world.

Real World Example

• Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Violence: India’s freedom struggle used ethical principles of truth and non-violence, inspiring global movements for civil rights.
• Nelson Mandela’s Reconciliation: Forgiveness and empathy helped South Africa heal after apartheid and build a democratic nation.
• ‘Never Again’ – Holocaust Memory: Moral responsibility and collective memory shaped global norms on human rights and prevention of genocide.
• Climate Change Justice Movement: Emotions like concern, anger and hope mobilize youth and nations to demand climate action and equity.

Way Forward

• Balance Realism with ethical diplomacy.
• Promote India’s soft power through democratic values and inclusive development.
• Maintain strategic autonomy, yet stay committed to international humanitarian values.
• Through fair and rules-based global governance, strengthen India’s leadership of the Global South.
• Support the reform of international institutions to make them more representative and fair.

Source: TH