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Global Ethics Corner (Weekly Multimedia Series)
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A Ph.D. used to be a ticket to a comfortable career in academia. But, in recent years, increasing numbers of Ph.D.'s have had trouble finding jobs or are earning less than minimum wage with no benefits. Are universities responsible for matching supply and demand in the Ph.D. job market?
Libya's civil war is over, but many victims of the Qaddafi regime are still violently meting out justice to their former oppressors. Will this just lead to a vicious cycle of abuse in the North African state? How can Libya balance the victims' needs with the perpetrators' basic human rights?
President Obama's top counterterrorism adviser recently defended drone strikes, saying they are legal, wise, and moral. But, citing international law, many critics question this approach, especially in a non-combat zone like Pakistan. Is it ethically problematic to rely on drone strikes?
After the recent highly publicized stories of American military members desecrating the remains of Taliban soldiers, many in the U.S. armed forces are learning about the ethics of war through workshops. Will these lessons work? Can warfare morality be learned in a classroom?
A surprise ruling from the European Court of Human Rights could send five terror suspects to a super-maximum security prison in the United States. Is keeping inmates in solitary confinement for years a form of torture? Or is Supermax a necessary tool to combat global terror?
Mike Daisey has admitted to fabricating parts of his story on Foxconn for "This American Life." But, perhaps partly due to the attention his story received, the Chinese factory is undergoing a labor audit and plans to raise wages. Is it ever ethical to lie for a larger truth?
The very public resignation of Goldman Sachs executive Greg Smith is the low point in a bad year for Wall Street. With the Occupy movement and a rumored recruiting crisis in mind, is there any hope left for Wall Street? Can the banks rebound and find a way to be ethical?
Invisible Children's Kony 2012 campaign has reached critical mass and turned Joseph Kony into a household name. But does the organization's simplified message misinform the public and whitewash the evils of the Ugandan government? Will it all be worth it if Kony is arrested?
With a recent resurgence of nationalism, Scottish independence is once again a topic of discussion. Do Scotland's vast oil reserves make this a realistic possibility? Or would reliance on a single resource cause the new country to struggle economically after breaking away from the U.K.?
Border disputes have been around for thousands of years, but in the age of Google Maps, they are taking on another dimension. Does Google bear any responsibility if a conflict arises because of borders it has drawn?
With economic malaise and political stalemates commonplace across the U.S. and Europe, some are beginning to look to China for answers. Is democracy, with its check and balances, still the best form of governance? Or could the West learn a few things from the "China model"?
It's been almost a year since demonstrations started in Syria and the government crackdown gets bloodier every day. With sanctions not producing results, is it time for a military intervention? Or do conditions on the ground and possible civilian deaths make this option too risky?
As the Cuban embargo reaches a milestone, a majority of Americans think it's time for a change. Many argue that the communist stronghold is no longer a threat and the sanctions only serve to hurt the Cuban people. Is it time to lift the embargo or should Obama maintain the status quo?
As the Arab Spring celebrates its one-year anniversary, the West is cautiously awaiting the next step. Will democracy flourish in the Middle East and North Africa? Or will authoritarianism and fundamental Islam be the basis for the new governments born from the revolutions of 2011?
President Obama's plan for a manufacturing revival has seen bipartisan support, but some economists are asking serious questions. Will more Americans on assembly lines stifle innovation? And can the U.S. compete with the lower wages and willing workers found overseas?
As NATO's missile defense system goes live in Turkey, questions have been raised about the nation's human rights record. Should NATO condemn Turkey's recent crackdowns on free speech and the media? Or does the country's geostrategic importance trump these concerns?
With primary season starting up, the Republican candidates are traveling around the nation, making stump speeches, kissing babies, and spending millions. Is this staple of American politics a showcase for democracy? Or does it just exacerbate ideological polarization in the U.S.?
With the recent death of Kim Jong-il, the United States is once again wondering what to do about North Korea. Is engagement with the nation's new leader, Kim Jong-un, the answer? Or should the U.S. isolate the rogue state and continue to ignore its threats?
Unpaid internships are a valuable and sometimes necessary experience for college students and recent graduates, especially in light of the global financial crisis. But is this really a fair labor practice and does it just give an unfair advantage to more well-off job-seekers?
With the 17th annual global climate change talks foundering in Durban, little hope is left for a worldwide initiative designed to combat global warming. Will local efforts be enough or does this latest setback truly doom a future of sustainability and worldwide cooperation?
With Vladimir Putin's party receiving a rebuke in the December 4th parliamentary elections, Russia is at a crossroads. With alleged voter fraud and massive protests as a backdrop, could this be the start of a new, more democratic era in Moscow or will Putin prevail?
The euro was once thought to be a symbol of peace and prosperity in post-World War II Europe. As the sovereign debt crisis continues, are we watching the end of this currency and, more ominously, a unified Europe?
Are Western-imported methods for fighting HIV/AIDS working in Sub-Saharan Africa? Some critics argue that campaigns more aligned with traditional African values could be more effective in fighting the disease than Western campaigns focused on abstinence and safe sex.
Who should control your Internet identity? In an age when bills are paid via PayPal, relationships are forged over Facebook, and revolutions are fueled by Twitter, these questions take on great prominence. How we answer them may define the Internet for years to come.
The Greek tragedy unfolding over the European debt deal raises some important questions about the bounds between debt and democracy: Why shouldn't Greeks--or any citizenry for that matter--get to vote on the economic fate of their country?
The fact that Guantanamo remains open, although the number of prisoners has been greatly reduced, shows how difficult it is to handle Islamic militants. Meanwhile, targeted killings have increased. Are we killing our high-profile enemies to avoid sending them to military prison?
Child soldiers and foreign aid raise an important ethical dilemma: Should allies that use child soldiers receive U.S. military aid, even if it compromises our opposition to the practice? When--if ever--should concerns about security trump concerns for human rights? What do you think?
Recent allegations of an Iranian assassination plot in the United States have once again raised doubts about the effectiveness of sanctions. As confidence in a diplomatic solution wanes, can U.S. officials avoid military intervention without looking soft on Iran?
Does rising income inequality pose a threat to American democracy? This question has long been taboo in American politics. Yet as "Occupy Wall Street" spreads across the United States, the political consequences of income inequality are grabbing headlines as never before.
According to NASA, over 135 million pieces of man-made metal
debris orbit the Earth. While the space race may be over,
someone's got to do the cleaning up. But who?
Governments have a moral responsibility to protect their citizens. How far does that extend? Is a "kill list" justified?
As the UN Security Council weighs the Palestinian bid, is the U.S. right to oppose UN membership? Would Palestinian membership to the UN threaten future peace or could it provide a foundation for future negotiations?
Is a far-reaching Chinese navy a threat to American naval superiority or to the West? Is China simply a major power, peacefully rising and pursuing its natural national interests? Perhaps, ruling the waves doesn’t have the same importance in the 21st century? What do you think?
Do laws that make it a crime to deny the existence of genocide help to lessen the chances of renewed conflict? Or, do they stifle freedom of speech--and risk eliminating political dissent? These are the questions currently debated in Rwanda.
As we take stock of the decade since 9/11, the lessons we have learned are still unclear. Ten years on, analysts impart contentious lessons that may even be irreconcilable. As you reflect on the past decade, what did you learn from 9/11?
A proposed Canadian pipeline would transport bitumen from the tar sands of Alberta to refineries on the Gulf Coast, crossing the border. Is Keystone XL in the national interest? Is secure access to oil worth the climate change consequences?
As Libya prepares for its future, do NATO member states have a moral responsibility to protect peace and stability? Or should Libya's future be of its own making? What do you think?
Instead of taking a leadership role, U.S. politicians merely "kicked the can down the road" to resolve the debt ceiling crisis, kicking off a U.S. credit rating downgrade and a global stock market meltdown. Should the U.S. government be given more or less authority in light of recent events?
Governments and corporations are under serious and growing threat from cyber attacks. Which do you favor: a strategy that seeks out hackers and punishes them at the risk of waging an undeclared cyberwar, or a more defensive strategy, as adopted by today’s Pentagon?
The power of belief is terrifying. Do you believe anything strongly enough to take a life without the sanction of authorities? Can any belief justify the killing of innocents? Where do you stand between belief and action?
Outrage over "News of the World's" use of phone hacking raises the question: when is hacking acceptable? Phone surveillance is a common tool for national security. Where do you draw the line?
World population may hit 10.1 billion by the year 2100. Are population issues individual choices or are they fundamental concerns of public policy? How aggressively should policy intervene?
Can you acknowledge dissenters as patriots? Can you dissent and still
sing the national anthem wholeheartedly? Can you live in a middle
ground?
Should the president be supported by the legislative branch when making difficult foreign policy decisions requiring the use of force? How does this apply to Libya?
In "To Kill a Mockingbird" an innocent man is wrongfully sentenced. The author argues that all we can do in the face of injustice is try, accept, and move on. Should we trust always trust institutions? When the system fails is it enough to have fought, or should we go on to fight again?
The Chinese economy and defense budget have grown at an enormous rate over the past five years. Do you think that this will lead to global confrontation? Or will China have a "peaceful rise"? Could there be a third way that blends competition and cooperation?
Within weeks of independence for Southern Sudan, the Northern Sudanese Army annexed the disputed town of Abyei. Should Southern Sudan respond militarily, risking a larger war? Or should they move ahead with independence on July 9 as planned?
Taiwan requires electric utilities to purchase renewable energy, subsidized by the government. When solar rates went down, the government changed the contract terms, saving on government funding but causing the solar investors to make less profit. Was this justified?
Economic models were the basis for crucial practical decisions that led to the 2008-09 financial crisis. Yet government bailouts remain controversial because free market advocates see intervention as wrong. Do you agree with the need to manage markets? Or should the economy be guided only be the "invisible hand"?
In the aftermath of popular uprisings in the Middle East, Western aid-donors are confronted by a difficult dilemma. Should they work with anti-democratic or politically extreme domestic groups? Is excluding some parties in the name of democracy justified?
In transitions from authoritarian rule to democracy, systems must decide who to exclude from public office. What do you do with those who, without being guilty, cannot be called innocent? Is it undemocratic to ban them from holding government positions?
Oil is cost-efficient as a primary energy source--in the short term. Long-term, however, oil poses economic risks and damages the environment. Should we allow markets to determine energy sources or implement energy policies to invest in alternatives?
Turkey's democracy has been extolled as a model in the Middle East, but has also been belittled for its creeping authoritarianism. Does Turkey offer hope to those states making a democratic transformation in the Arab world? Or is its system under threat?
In March 2011, there were over 50 vessels and 800 people held hostage by Somali pirates. What should be the response to these captures? Should a third party attack, negotiate, seek legal remedies, or continue to make the best of a terrible situation?
Could the slow job growth rate of the Great Recession be attributed to new technologies replacing human labor and intelligence? Is artificial intelligence likely or desirable in a post-industrial society?
Two waves are overwhelming Egypt and possibly the Middle East: democracy and demography. Can a youthful imperative for rapid change amplify or diminish the growth of democracy? Can a populist revolution contain the seeds of an authoritarian regime?
In Tunisia, the Jasmine Revolution showed the vulnerability of unpopular and anti-democratic regimes. Should the West support authoritarian regimes to contain political Islam? Or should it watch popular passions erect potentially anti-democratic governments?
The annual announcement from the Eurasia Group of top global risks is here. Do you agree with their choice of fundamental issues for this year?
Chinese policies tilt the field and undermine free trade, according to journalist David Leonhardt. Should the U.S. use sanctions more aggressively to enforce free trade principles and to protect domestic production? Or are the negative economic consequences too risky?
Wikileaks cables reveal that U.S. diplomats are "a big part of the sales force." Is diplomacy diminished or conflicts harder to resolve if diplomats are aggressive commercial partisans? Or are diplomats promoting products a crucial part of 21st century international affairs?
Should non-state armed groups be excluded from the formal realm of international humanitarian law? Should they be held to the same standards as states during warfare? What is the proper mechanism for enforcing the rules of war without lending non-state actors legitimacy?
U.S. diplomatic cables exposed through WikiLeaks raise several questions about transparency and trust. Should governments employ secrecy in diplomacy? Without transparency, are democracy and diplomacy compatible?
Western support of Israel demonstrates a clash of interests and values. Israel is a key U.S. ally, yet its policies towards Gaza and the West Bank are repeatedly marked with human rights violations. Can there be a middle ground in foreign policy where interests and values meet?
The UN Charter states that human rights is the responsibility of international society. It also prohibits forceful interference against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state. Which takes precedence in humanitarian crises, sovereignty or human rights?
With the rise in power of emerging markets and developing economies should the architecture of global economics change to reflect their market approaches? Should the U.S. direct reforms, or should China and other developing markets take leadership?
Brazil's President Lula da Silva handpicked Dilma Rousseff as his successor, even though she has never held political office. How important is continuity in governments? Is handpicking a successor acceptable in order to win an election or to direct a government? What do you think?
Would Serbian admission to the EU prevent another Balkan War? Is promoting Serbian democracy more important than securing justice for 1990s genocides? In pursuing war criminals, is the carrot of EU admission more effective than the stick of EU exclusion?
Do markets promote the greatest good for the greatest number? What do you think? Should long-term economic growth, promised by a free market, be prioritized over concerns about inequality? How do you balance a society's need both to create wealth and insure welfare?
Moral injury is a new concept to describe the harm done to combatants traumatized by war. Is this concept confined to combatants alone, or is moral injury to soldiers simply a more extreme extension of the moral issues faced by everyone?
Civility has fled the 24/7 news cycle. Public life need not be this way. Why do we tolerate, even gorge, on this lack of civility? How do you handle public debate? Do you paint opposing views as demonic?
Global warming makes it impossible to limit environmentalism to one country. Should geoengineering be regulated multilaterally before rogue countries experiment with our collective future? Or does the problem demand research and action now, despite the risks?
China undervalues its currency and pursues an export-led growth model, resulting in the loss of U.S. jobs. Confrontation on this issue is dangerous, yet doing nothing is potentially disastrous for the U.S. economy. How would you respond to China's growing power?
Offshore oil spills have devastating consequences, yet storm-drain runoff from leaky cars and gas stations can be just as bad. Do the risks of deepwater drilling outweigh the rewards? Could efficiency and innovations on land meet our energy demands without further drilling?
What should be the balance between preservation and consumption? Should there be a global ethic for protecting endangered species? If so, how should it be enforced?
Half the world now lives in cities, and they are growing. Are megacities an opportunity or a threat?
Have aircraft carriers lost their place as core naval assets for projecting force? Does the carrier's symbolic role and massive armament still sustain its central mission? For instance, would you risk U.S. carriers in a conflict across the Taiwan Strait?
Should national parks introduce non-native species for recreational purposes, or focus on preserving the parks' natural state?
The proposed building of an Islamic community center two blocks from 9/11’s Ground Zero has become a contentious issue. Would building the center promote the American virtues of religious freedom and speech? Or would it be counterproductive and insensitive, even if the intent is pure?
Smartphones rely on coltan, much of which is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Given that the Congo represents one of the worst illustrations of modern mineral exploitation, what will you do?
Is secrecy in foreign policy an unfortunate yet necessary way to maintain national security? Does the lack of transparency in state decisions undermine democracy?
The growth in national security measures since 9/11 is striking. Is this level of government investment worthwhile? Is there ever such a thing as enough security?
How do you choose missions to fight a war effectively, while minimizing civilian deaths and meeting the obligation to your soldiers?
Must governments meet violence with an authoritarian response? In the recent Mexican election, citizens could demand a crackdown on druglords at the price of personal freedoms, or continue to participate at the risk of their safety. Mexicans chose the latter. What would you do?
Does the state capitalism model present a challenge to free market political systems? Is Google's confrontation with China a taste of the future? What do you think?
When China loosens the peg of its currency to the dollar, the U.S. will benefit--but it may hurt labor in China. While the looser Chinese currency is fairer to trading partners, it conflicts with protection of Chinese citizens' interests. How would you balance the two concerns?
In Rwanda, 92 percent of citizens have government-mandated health insurance, collectively owned by the policy-holders themselves. Does organizing health care based on this mutual ethical obligation make sense for other countries? What do you think?
Should the U.S. be helping developing countries when it has its own dramatic domestic problems?
Will the next dominant international conflict be between state capitalism and free market capitalism? Will it supplant the war on terror? What do you think?
How do we meet the massive global issue of fertility without being mired in the abortion debate? What do you think, regardless of your view on pro-life or pro-choice?
Are babies born with the morality they need or do they learn it from society? Is morality a biological trait that builds communities through enlightened self-interest, or does it come from a spiritual being? What do you think?
Should the U.S. shed some global ambitions and responsibilities? Or, is America's global role simply too important, both to the U.S. and the world? What do you think?
Should election results accurately reflect public opinion or should elections promote effective governance?
Is it time to reform the U.S. electoral structure? Should more views be represented? Do narrow interests have too much power?
This short audio on ethics asks: Are nuclear weapons a necessary evil? Is it better to live in a world with nuclear deterrence or one that is free of nuclear threats? What do you think?
Benefits from altruism include approval, enhanced image, and neural stimulation--feeling good. Yet if you act selfishly you will have more resources, and your individual behavior is unlikely to break down society. Everyone has to choose. What will you do?
What do you think maximizes individual benefits in the marketplace? Is it cut throat competition or altruistic norms of fairness and trust? Can you have both?
Can basic income grants work for those living in extreme poverty? Or are grants discouraging people from taking individual responsibility?
This short video on ethics asks: Is Goldman Sachs responsible for the current financial crisis in Greece? Or should Greek politicians who knew of Goldman's practices be blamed for the
state of their economy?
Does the quest for high television ratings deter Olympic sportscasters from focusing on strategies and techniques of sports? Should Olympic coverage focus more on the game than on athletes' personal stories?
One goal of public diplomacy is to create allies inside other states through education programs or cultural exchanges. Should this be viewed as enriching individuals, or as a sly attempt to manipulate another country's domestic politics?
How do we balance the short-term interests at stake in the energy debate with our long-term needs? This short video on ethics asks: Why are energy and climate choices painted as opposites?
Can you hold to ethical standards and serve a government that makes mistakes? Does becoming a diplomat mean, "my country right or wrong?"
Is U.S. foreign policy determined by individual policy-makers and core values, or by external threats and domestic pressures?
Has pluralism in America emphasized private interest over public good? Does the market for ideas need more supervision, or should the market rule?
Has pluralism in America emphasized private interest over public good? Does the market for ideas need more supervision, or should the market rule?
For President Obama, what is the relation between religion and politics?
America's global future seems in doubt with a frozen political process, mountains of debt, stagnant exports, global military commitments, and less secure friendships. Is the American Dream dead?
The Eurasia Group identified ten top global risks for business this year, which should be understood not just as political and economic, but also as the basic choices they highlight. What do you think the fundamental issues are for 2010?
This short clip on ethics asks: Is climate change a common public burden, or should individuals make their own choices? Globally do modernized countries have an obligation to developing countries?
This short audio on ethics asks: Are we responsible for the well-being of children around the globe, millions of whom die every year from preventable causes? Or does charity begin at home?
In a difficult and protracted war democracies may accept a draw due to a lack of public support. If you were caught between bowing to public opinion and taking bold positions that may alienate the electorate, which would you choose?
What is the U.S. role in the world? There are two extremes. Being an example, or employing forceful U.S. engagement and being a moral champion. Neither pole will or should prevail, but which might best drive America's interests?
Should there be formal or informal standards for compensation? Can you ever earn too much?
Inequality in America has been accelerating rapidly since the 1980s. But capping income levels could put liberty and competitiveness at risk. This short audio on ethics asks: What is the right balance between liberty and equality?
Private contractors bring important skills to tasks outside the capability or mission of military personnel, but they are not accountable to the government or American people. Is this political cover valuable? What about the hidden costs?
When balancing life's complex tensions, how do you know when you've crossed a line?
When war is a foreign insurgency, balancing human risks and possibility of success is a fundamental ethical dilemma for leaders. What do you think should happen in Afghanistan?
When choosing Nobel Peace Prize winners, should the Nobel Committee think of the future, using the Nobel's prestige to encourage
peace-making? Or should they identify achievements over time, rewarding
those shown worthy?
By 2050 some estimate that climate change will displace 150 million people, but the displaced won't qualify as refugees under international law. This short audio asks: What should be done about relocation?
Should cultural treasures, acquired under dubious circumstances, be returned to their places of origin?
Can we regulate international space like the oceans? Pollution and illegal or unregulated fishing plague international waters. How can the problem be managed to maintain the health and beauty of our seas?
The global circulation of goods is a major source of both prosperity and carbon emissions. This short audio on ethics asks: Can trade be regulated to maximize development and reduce environmental harm?
This short clip on ethics asks: Who pays to stop global warming? How to allocate emissions allowances? If people are entitled to an equal share of the world's resources, should national allowances be allocated on a per capita basis? How about the billionaire in India who pollutes more than a poor person in urban Paris?
How do we put value on the forests as an indispensable element of our survival? Can we balance market mechanisms with regulations and consumption with sustainability?
Do states have a responsibility to protect the planet? If so, who would decide when environmental protection is a legitimate reason to interfere in the affairs of another state?
Do immigrants help or hurt America? Closed borders cut off the world's best and brightest, while open borders may invite the world's desperate, criminal, and crazy. Should we err on the side of opening doors or building walls?
Should you ever deal with dictators? Two American journalists held hostage in North Korea were released as a result of Bill Clinton's recent meeting with Kim Jong-il. Did the positive outcome justify lending credibility to one of the world's worst regimes?
If you don't know the roots under a farmers' market or a colleague's produce, should you trust the food you get from them? How does the joy of growing and giving fresh vegetables weigh against potential soil hazards? Does even a carrot require an ethical choice?
Should government supplement markets to increase the public good? Should it regulate markets to protect the public good? How much is too much regulation?
Policies are often debated along three dimensions: effectiveness, efficiency, and expediency. In place of a fourth dimension—applied ethics—we usually find sensationalism and polarization. Can public discourse rise above shouting?
Modern self-determination and the concept of nationality are closely linked, and have frequently led to instances of ethnic cleansing. Can nationalism and multi-ethnic societies co-exist? Must self-determination imply ethnic cleansing?
Is it ever ethical to violate a democratic constitution? If the rationale for military intervention is to save democracy, does that make it legitimate?
Why can't the U.S. negotiate a domestic solution to health care? Individuals are certainly responsible for their health. A wealthy society can also be responsible for its members. Is health care a primary right, or a personal responsibility?
French President Nicolas Sarkozy recently declared that burqas are not welcome in France. To some, the burqa represents the suppression of women. Yet many Muslim women embrace it. Should states have control over what people wear?
When are elections legitimate? What about Iran? Elections assume that losers accept results. Because many disagree, can they overturn an election? Should we believe authorities that declare elections valid?
Fairness is a universal concept, but its application depends on time and place. The three pillars of ethical choice—pluralism, rights and responsibilities, and fairness—are thus codependent, and balancing them demands dialogue among people.
Balancing rights and responsibilities is one of the pillars supporting ethical choice. How far do our rights extend? Do responsibilities diminish our entitlements?
How do we celebrate differences without falling into the trap of cultural relativism?
To become ethical, must behavior be grounded in a religious faith or other system of belief? How do we judge the behavior of states and people?
New York is no longer viewed as the financial capital of the world, or even of the United States. Given the recent government intervention in states' economies, will the free-market model be able to compete?
Participants in Britain's nuclear weapons testing program argued recently that health was damaged by radiation. Who is responsible? Should compensation be a legal matter or a moral one?
Senator Specter is now a Democrat. Was his decision to switch parties principled, pragmatic, or just expedient?
Torture is wrong. So who is culpable? The point people? The memo writers? The overseers? No one? Everyone?
According to Dambisa Moyo, large foreign aid flows to Africa disenfranchise Africans and prop up corrupt African leaders. If we follow Moyo's advice and cut off aid, what happens to the millions whose survival depends on it?
Competition magnifies the importance of choices people make, as penalties for failure and rewards for cheating increase. What would you do if faced with a high pressure choice in an environment which tolerates cheating?
How should we reward experts and how much? When the experts fail, should populist outrage be directed at those individuals or the system?
Can public discussion of issues acknowledge gray areas despite being polarized by the media and single issue groups?
What are the ethics of global sports development? Now that America's favorite pastime has gone global, is baseball watched and played for the love of the game? Or is it just business?
Do we respect the wishes of anti-Castro Americans, to restrict trade, or the wishes of agriculture and medical sales interests, to open Cuban markets? If we relax restrictions, do we reward repression? What do you think?
Banning headscarves may violate an individual's right of religious expression and choice. Allowing headscarves may violate a state's commitment to secularism. This short clip on ethics asks: How do we marry public goods and religious imperatives?
A Colombian immigrant was recently denied her investor's visa, forcing her to shut down her U.S. company and fire her six employees. Does immigration help or hurt American workers?
Should foreign companies fudge a commitment to free speech to gain early market access? Is some information better than none, or is censorship a black and white issue?
Less than one percent of the earth's water is consumable, and many parts of the world may be heading toward water bankruptcy. Should private ownership of water rights and delivery systems be encouraged, rejected, or better managed?
While saving jobs is an urgent task in today's economy, promoting "Buy American" policies may hurt our chances of recovering from the recession. This short audio on ethics asks: How can we apply the Golden Rule to our trade and consumption patterns?
Virtual reality can be entertaining and educational, but at what point does too much virtual become a vice?
What is true for the individual may not be true for the group, the state, or the international system, and vice versa. Does this suggest that ethics is personal, not institutional or governmental? For you, at what levels does ethical choice live?
This short audio on ethics asks: How can we resolve the financial melt-down and prevent another? Solutions focus on free markets, regulation, or rewards. Perhaps we should balance all three? But how?
What criteria do you emphasize when deciding "How is my country doing?" Are you proud of how your country compares with the world?
Should we observe Morgenthau's principles--avoid the crusading spirit and heed others' perspectives--or is promoting democracy and taking a forceful stand indispensable to U.S. foreign policy?
This short audio on ethics asks: What does the financial crisis imply? Should we liberalize trade on agriculture
and services? Or should we protect domestic producers?
Can intelligent robot soldiers be designed to be more ethical in battle than human soldiers? Would you prefer a robot or a human deciding about the possibility of civilian casualties, about collateral damage?
This short audio on ethics asks: Will our responses to the financial crisis be constructive, or will panic cloud our judgments? How do you face fear in a time of crisis?
This short audio on ethics asks: Will people associate U.S. power with "global misery" or with the opportunity and pluralism that Obama's victory represents? There is clearly a need to reflect on the future of market capitalism.
Are ethics primary questions that precede and surround practical leadership?
How will President Obama deal with the hopes and fears of people abroad? Will his priority be the interests of the United States or will the welfare of those beyond America’s borders also count?
We enter a slippery ethical slope when we begin to make distinctions between victims. When can an individual's rights be set aside?
Is fast food an ethical as well as a dietary issue? Yes, says the slow-food movement whose motto is: good, clean, fair food. Let's look at this claim more closely.
The presidential candidates assert that America must renew its global moral authority, but they dance, offering no solutions. Let's take a closer look.
Should the opinions of the world be important in American elections? This is a crucial question in applied ethics as we choose a president.
Global Ethics Corner (Multimedia )
A Ph.D. used to be a ticket to a comfortable career in academia. But, in recent years, increasing numbers of Ph.D.'s have had trouble finding jobs or are earning less than minimum wage with no benefits. Are universities responsible for matching supply and demand in the Ph.D. job market?
Libya's civil war is over, but many victims of the Qaddafi regime are still violently meting out justice to their former oppressors. Will this just lead to a vicious cycle of abuse in the North African state? How can Libya balance the victims' needs with the perpetrators' basic human rights?
President Obama's top counterterrorism adviser recently defended drone strikes, saying they are legal, wise, and moral. But, citing international law, many critics question this approach, especially in a non-combat zone like Pakistan. Is it ethically problematic to rely on drone strikes?
After the recent highly publicized stories of American military members desecrating the remains of Taliban soldiers, many in the U.S. armed forces are learning about the ethics of war through workshops. Will these lessons work? Can warfare morality be learned in a classroom?
With the election of another American to head the World Bank, some are questioning the institution's legitimacy and role in the world. Since once-impoverished nations are driving world economic growth, should the developing world have a greater say in the bank's governance?
A surprise ruling from the European Court of Human Rights could send five terror suspects to a super-maximum security prison in the United States. Is keeping inmates in solitary confinement for years a form of torture? Or is Supermax a necessary tool to combat global terror?
Mike Daisey has admitted to fabricating parts of his story on Foxconn for "This American Life." But, perhaps partly due to the attention his story received, the Chinese factory is undergoing a labor audit and plans to raise wages. Is it ever ethical to lie for a larger truth?
The very public resignation of Goldman Sachs executive Greg Smith is the low point in a bad year for Wall Street. With the Occupy movement and a rumored recruiting crisis in mind, is there any hope left for Wall Street? Can the banks rebound and find a way to be ethical?
Invisible Children's Kony 2012 campaign has reached critical mass and turned Joseph Kony into a household name. But does the organization's simplified message misinform the public and whitewash the evils of the Ugandan government? Will it all be worth it if Kony is arrested?
With a recent resurgence of nationalism, Scottish independence is once again a topic of discussion. Do Scotland's vast oil reserves make this a realistic possibility? Or would reliance on a single resource cause the new country to struggle economically after breaking away from the U.K.?
Border disputes have been around for thousands of years, but in the age of Google Maps, they are taking on another dimension. Does Google bear any responsibility if a conflict arises because of borders it has drawn? Or should we all realize that these maps are just for "entertainment"?
With economic malaise and political stalemates commonplace across the U.S. and Europe, some are beginning to look to China for answers. Is democracy, with its check and balances, still the best form of governance? Or could the West learn a few things from the "China model"?
It's been almost a year since demonstrations started in Syria and the government crackdown gets bloodier every day. With sanctions not producing results, is it time for a military intervention? Or do conditions on the ground and possible civilian deaths make this option too risky?
As the Cuban embargo reaches a milestone, a majority of Americans think it's time for a change. Many argue that the communist stronghold is no longer a threat and the sanctions only serve to hurt the Cuban people. Is it time to lift the embargo or should Obama maintain the status quo?
As the Arab Spring celebrates its one-year anniversary, the West is cautiously awaiting the next step. Will democracy flourish in the Middle East and North Africa? Or will authoritarianism and fundamental Islam be the basis for the new governments born from the revolutions of 2011?
President Obama's plan for a manufacturing revival has seen bipartisan support, but some economists are asking serious questions. Will more Americans on assembly lines stifle innovation? And can the U.S. compete with the lower wages and willing workers found overseas?
As NATO's missile defense system goes live in Turkey, questions have been raised about the nation's human rights record. Should NATO condemn Turkey's recent crackdowns on free speech and the media? Or does the country's geostrategic importance trump these concerns?
With primary season starting up, the Republican candidates are traveling around the nation, making stump speeches, kissing babies, and spending millions. Is this staple of American politics a showcase for democracy? Or does it just exacerbate ideological polarization in the U.S.?
With the recent death of Kim Jong-il, the United States is once again wondering what to do about North Korea. Is engagement with the nation's new leader, Kim Jong-un, the answer? Or should the U.S. isolate the rogue state and continue to ignore its threats?
Unpaid internships are a valuable and sometimes necessary experience for college students and recent graduates, especially in light of the global financial crisis. But is this really a fair labor practice and does it just give an unfair advantage to more well-off job-seekers?
Could the slow job growth rate of the Great Recession be attributed to new technologies replacing human labor and intelligence? Is artificial intelligence likely or desirable in a post-industrial society?
With the 17th annual global climate change talks foundering in Durban, little hope is left for a worldwide initiative designed to combat global warming. Will local efforts be enough or does this latest setback truly doom a future of sustainability and worldwide cooperation?
With Vladimir Putin's party receiving a rebuke in the December 4th parliamentary elections, Russia is at a crossroads. With alleged voter fraud and massive protests as a backdrop, could this be the start of a new, more democratic era in Moscow or will Putin prevail?
The euro was once thought to be a symbol of peace and prosperity in post-World War II Europe. As the sovereign debt crisis continues, are we watching the end of this currency and, more ominously, a unified Europe?
Are Western-imported methods for fighting HIV/AIDS working in Sub-Saharan Africa? Some critics argue that campaigns more aligned with traditional African values could be more effective in fighting the disease than Western campaigns focused on abstinence and safe sex.
Who should control your Internet identity? In an age when bills are paid via PayPal, relationships are forged over Facebook, and revolutions are fueled by Twitter, these questions take on great prominence. How we answer them may define the Internet for years to come.
The Greek tragedy unfolding over the European debt deal raises some important questions about the bounds between debt and democracy: Why shouldn't Greeks--or any citizenry for that matter--get to vote on the economic fate of their country?
The fact that Guantanamo remains open, although the number of prisoners has been greatly reduced, shows how difficult
it is to handle Islamic militants. Meanwhile, targeted killings have increased. Are we killing our high-profile enemies to avoid sending them to military prison?
Child soldiers and foreign aid raise an important ethical dilemma: Should allies that use child soldiers receive U.S. military aid, even if it compromises our opposition to the practice? When--if ever--should concerns about security trump concerns for human rights?
Recent allegations of an Iranian assassination plot in the United States have once again raised doubts about the effectiveness of sanctions. As confidence in a diplomatic solution wanes, can U.S. officials avoid military intervention without looking soft on Iran?
Does rising income inequality pose a threat to American democracy? This question has long been taboo in American politics. Yet as "Occupy Wall Street" spreads across the United States, the political consequences of income inequality are grabbing headlines as never before.
According to NASA, over 135 million pieces of man-made metal debris orbit the Earth. While the space race may be over, someone's got to do the cleaning up. But who?
As the UN Security Council weighs the Palestinian bid, is the U.S. right to oppose UN membership? Would Palestinian membership to the UN threaten future peace or could it provide a foundation for future negotiations?
Is a far-reaching Chinese navy a threat to American naval superiority or to the West? Is China simply a major power, peacefully rising and pursuing its natural national interests? Perhaps, ruling the waves doesn’t have the same importance in the 21st century? What do you think?
Do laws that make it a crime to deny the existence of genocide help to lessen
the chances of renewed conflict? Or, do they stifle freedom of speech--and
risk eliminating political dissent? These are the questions currently debated in Rwanda.
As we take stock of the decade since 9/11, the lessons we have learned are still unclear. Ten years on, analysts impart contentious lessons that may even be irreconcilable. As you reflect on the past decade, what did you learn from 9/11?
A proposed Canadian pipeline would transport bitumen from the tar sands of Alberta to refineries on the Gulf Coast, crossing the border. Is Keystone XL in the national interest?
Is secure access to oil worth the climate change consequences?
As Libya prepares for its future, do NATO member states have a moral responsibility to protect peace and stability? Or should Libya's
future be of its own making? What do you think?
Has pluralism in America emphasized private interest over public good? Does the market for ideas need more supervision, or should the market rule?
Instead of taking a leadership role, U.S. politicians merely "kicked the can down the road" to resolve the debt ceiling crisis, kicking off a U.S. credit rating downgrade and a global stock market meltdown. Should the U.S. government be given more or less authority in light of recent events?
Governments and corporations are under serious and growing threat from cyber attacks. Which do you favor: a strategy that seeks out hackers and punishes them at the risk of waging an undeclared cyberwar, or a more defensive strategy, as adopted by today’s Pentagon?
The power of belief is terrifying. Do you believe anything strongly enough to take a life without the sanction of authorities? Can any belief justify the killing of innocents? Where do you stand between belief and action?
Outrage over "News of the World's" use of phone hacking raises the question: when is hacking acceptable? Phone surveillance is a common tool for national security. Where do you draw the line?
World population may hit 10.1 billion by the year 2100. Are population issues individual choices or are they fundamental concerns of public policy? How aggressively should policy intervene?
Can you acknowledge dissenters as patriots? Can you dissent and still
sing the national anthem wholeheartedly? Can you live in a middle
ground?
Should the president be supported by the legislative branch when making difficult foreign policy decisions requiring the use of force? How does this apply to Libya?
In "To Kill a Mockingbird" an innocent man is wrongfully sentenced. The author argues that all we can do in the face of injustice is try, accept, and move on. Should we trust always trust institutions? When the system fails is it enough to have fought, or should we go on to fight again?
The Chinese economy and defense budget have grown at an enormous rate over the past five years. Do you think that this will lead to global confrontation? Or will China have a "peaceful rise"? Could there be a third way that blends competition and cooperation?
Within weeks of independence for Southern Sudan, the Northern Sudanese Army annexed the disputed town of Abyei. Should Southern Sudan respond militarily, risking a larger war? Or should they move ahead with independence on July 9 as planned?
Taiwan requires electric utilities to purchase renewable energy, subsidized by the government. Recently when solar rates went down, the government changed the contract terms, saving on the amount of government funding but causing solar investors to make less profit. Was this justified?
Economic models were the basis for crucial practical decisions that led to the 2008-09 financial crisis. Yet government bailouts remain controversial because free market advocates see intervention as wrong. Do you agree with the need to manage markets? Or should the economy be guided only be the "invisible hand"?
In the aftermath of popular uprisings in the Middle East, Western aid-donors are confronted by a difficult dilemma. Should they work with anti-democratic or politically extreme domestic groups? Is excluding some parties in the name of democracy justified?
In transitions from authoritarian rule to democracy, systems must decide who to exclude from public office. What do you do with those who, without being guilty, cannot be called innocent? Is it undemocratic to ban them from holding government positions?
Oil is cost-efficient as a primary energy source--in the short term. Long-term, however, oil poses economic risks and damages the environment. Should we allow markets to determine energy sources or implement energy policies to invest in alternatives?
Turkey's democracy has been extolled as a model in the Middle East, but has also been belittled for its creeping authoritarianism. Does Turkey offer hope to those states making a democratic transformation in the Arab world? Or is its system under threat?
In March 2011, there were over 50 vessels and 800 people held hostage by Somali pirates. What should be the response to these captures? Should a third party attack, negotiate, seek legal remedies, or continue to make the best of a terrible situation?
Two waves are overwhelming Egypt and possibly the Middle East: democracy and demography. Can a youthful imperative for rapid change amplify or diminish the growth of democracy? Can a populist revolution contain the seeds of an authoritarian regime?
In Tunisia, the Jasmine Revolution showed the vulnerability of unpopular and anti-democratic regimes. Should the West support authoritarian regimes to contain political Islam? Should it watch popular passions erect potentially anti-democratic governments? Is there a third alternative?
The annual announcement from the Eurasia Group of top global risks is here. Do you agree with their choice of fundamental issues for 2011?
Chinese policies tilt the field and undermine free trade, according to journalist David Leonhardt. Should the U.S. use sanctions more aggressively to enforce free trade principles and to protect domestic production? Or are the negative economic consequences too risky?
Wikileaks cables reveal that U.S. diplomats are "a big part of the sales force." Is diplomacy diminished or conflicts harder to resolve if diplomats are aggressive commercial partisans? Or are diplomats promoting products a crucial part of 21st century international affairs?
Should non-state armed groups be excluded from the formal realm of international humanitarian law? Should they be held to the same standards as states during warfare? What is the proper mechanism for enforcing the rules of war without lending non-state actors legitimacy?
U.S. diplomatic cables exposed through WikiLeaks raise several questions about transparency and trust. Should governments employ secrecy in diplomacy? Without transparency, are democracy and diplomacy compatible?
Western support of Israel demonstrates a clash of interests and values. Israel is a key U.S. ally, yet its policies towards Gaza and the West Bank are repeatedly marked with human rights violations. Can there be a middle ground in foreign policy where interests and values meet?
The UN Charter states that human rights is the responsibility of international society. It also prohibits forceful interference against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state. Which takes precedence in humanitarian crises, sovereignty or human rights?
With the rise in power of emerging markets and developing economies should the architecture of global economics change to reflect their market approaches? Should the U.S. direct reforms, or should China and other developing markets take leadership?
Brazil's President Lula da Silva handpicked Dilma Rousseff as his successor, even though she has never held political office. How important is continuity in governments? Is handpicking a successor acceptable in order to win an election or to direct a government? What do you think?
Would Serbian admission to the EU prevent another Balkan War? Is promoting Serbian democracy more important than securing justice for 1990s genocides? In pursuing war criminals, is the carrot of EU admission more effective than the stick of EU exclusion?
Do markets promote the greatest good for the greatest number? What do you think? Should long-term economic growth, promised by a free market, be prioritized over concerns about inequality? How do you balance a society's need both to create wealth and insure welfare?
Moral injury is a new concept to describe the harm done to combatants traumatized by war. Is this concept confined to combatants alone, or is moral injury to soldiers simply a more extreme extension of the moral issues faced by everyone?
Civility has fled the 24/7 news cycle. Public life need not be this way. Why do we tolerate, even gorge, on this lack of civility? How do you handle public debate? Do you paint opposing views as demonic?
Global warming makes it impossible to limit environmentalism to one country. Should geoengineering be regulated multilaterally before rogue countries experiment with our collective future? Or does the problem demand research and action now, despite the risks?
China undervalues its currency and pursues an export-led growth model, resulting in the loss of U.S. jobs. Confrontation on this issue is dangerous, yet doing nothing is potentially disastrous for the U.S. economy. How would you respond to China's growing power?
Offshore oil spills have devastating consequences, yet storm-drain runoff from leaky cars and gas stations can be just as bad. Do the risks of deepwater drilling outweigh the rewards? Could efficiency and innovations on land meet our energy demands without further drilling?
Three-quarters of the world's fish stocks are in distress and many fisheries could collapse by midcentury. Should we ban industrial fishing or regulate it for sustainable output? Can farmed fish make up the difference? Furthermore, who will police the oceans? What do you think?
Half the world now lives in cities, and they are growing. Are megacities an opportunity or a threat?
Have aircraft carriers lost their place as core naval assets for projecting force? Does the carrier's symbolic role and massive armament still sustain its central mission? For instance, would you risk U.S. carriers in a conflict across the Taiwan Strait?
Should national parks introduce non-native species for recreational purposes, or focus on preserving the parks' natural state?
The proposed building of an Islamic community center two blocks from 9/11’s Ground Zero has become a contentious issue. Would building the center promote the American virtues of religious freedom and speech? Or would it be counterproductive and insensitive, even if the intent is pure?
Smartphones rely on coltan, much of which is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Given that the Congo represents one of the worst illustrations of modern mineral exploitation, what will you do?
Is secrecy in foreign policy an unfortunate yet necessary way to maintain national security? Or does the lack of transparency in state decisions undermine democracy?
The growth in national security measures since 9/11 is striking. Is this level of government investment worthwhile? Can there ever be too much security?
Must governments meet violence with an authoritarian response? In the recent Mexican election, citizens could demand a crackdown on druglords at the price of personal freedoms, or continue to participate at the risk of their safety. Mexicans chose the latter. What would you do?
Does the state capitalism model present a challenge to free market political systems? Is Google's confrontation with China a taste of the future? What do you think?
When China loosens the peg of its currency to the dollar, the U.S. will benefit--but it may hurt labor in China. While the looser Chinese currency is fairer to trading partners, it conflicts with protection of Chinese citizens' interests. How would you balance the two concerns?
In Rwanda, 92 percent of citizens have government-mandated health insurance, collectively owned by the policy-holders themselves. Does organizing health care based on this mutual ethical obligation make sense for other countries? What do you think?
Governments have a moral responsibility to protect their citizens. How far does that extend? Is a "kill list" justified?
Should the U.S. be helping developing countries when it has its own dramatic domestic problems?
Will the next dominant international conflict be between state capitalism and free market capitalism? Will it supplant the war on terror? What do you think?
How do we meet the massive global issue of fertility without being mired in the abortion debate?
Are babies born with the morality they need or do they learn it from society? Is morality a biological trait that builds communities through enlightened self-interest, or does it come from a spiritual being? What do you think?
Should the U.S. shed some global ambitions and responsibilities? Or, is America's global role simply too important, both to the U.S. and the world? What do you think?
Should election results accurately reflect public opinion or should elections promote effective governance?
Is it time to reform the U.S. electoral structure? Should more views be represented? Do narrow interests have too much power? What do you think?
This short video on ethics asks: Are nuclear weapons a necessary evil? Is it better to live in a world with nuclear deterrence or one that is free of nuclear threats? What do you think?
Is the role of the NCAA to help students succeed through sports, or to garner money for educational institutions? With the high drop-out rate of NCAA basketball players, should the organization change its rules to encourage student athletes to complete their undergraduate degrees?
Benefits from altruism include approval, enhanced image, and neural stimulation--feeling good. Yet if you act selfishly you will have more resources, and your individual behavior is unlikely to break down society. Everyone has to choose. What will you do?
What do you think maximizes individual benefits in the marketplace? Is it cut throat competition or altruistic norms of fairness and trust? Can you have both?
Can basic income grants work for those living in extreme poverty? Or are grants discouraging people from taking individual responsibility?
This short video on ethics asks: Is Goldman Sachs responsible for the current financial crisis in Greece? Or should Greek politicians who knew of Goldman's practices be blamed for the
state of their economy?
Does the quest for high television ratings deter Olympic sportscasters from focusing on strategies and techniques of sports? Should Olympic coverage focus more on the game than on athletes' personal stories?
One goal of public diplomacy is to create allies inside other states through education programs or cultural exchanges. Should this be viewed as enriching individuals, or as a sly attempt to manipulate another country's domestic politics?
How do we balance the short-term interests at stake in the energy debate with our long-term needs? This short video on ethics asks: Why are energy and climate choices painted as opposites?
Can you hold to ethical standards and serve a government that makes mistakes? Does becoming a diplomat mean, "my country right or wrong"?
Is U.S. foreign policy determined by individual policy-makers and core values, or by external threats and domestic pressures?
Has pluralism in America emphasized private interest over public good? Does the market for ideas need more supervision, or should the market rule?
For President Obama, what is the relation between religion and politics?
America's global future seems in doubt with a frozen political process, mountains of debt, stagnant exports, global military commitments, and less secure friendships. Is the American Dream dead?
The Eurasia Group identified ten top global risks for business this year, which should be understood not just as political and economic, but also as the basic choices they highlight. What do you think the fundamental issues are for 2010?
This short clip on ethics asks: Is climate change a common public burden, or should individuals make their own choices? Globally do modernized countries have an obligation to developing countries?
This short video on ethics asks: Are we responsible for the well-being of children around the globe, millions of whom die every year from preventable causes? Or does charity begin at home?
In a difficult and protracted war democracies may accept a draw due to a lack of public support. If you were caught between bowing to public opinion and taking bold positions that may alienate the electorate, which would you choose?
What is the U.S. role in the world? There are two extremes. Being an example, or employing forceful U.S. engagement and being a moral champion. Neither pole will or should prevail, but which might best drive America's interests?
Within society there seems to be a general public disdain for excess and a private commitment to excess. Should there be formal or informal standards for compensation? Can you ever earn too much?
Inequality in America has been accelerating rapidly since the 1980s. But capping income levels could put liberty and competitiveness at risk. This short video on ethics asks: What is the right balance between liberty and equality?
Private contractors bring important skills to tasks outside the capability or mission of military personnel, but they are not accountable to the government or American people. Is this political cover valuable? What about the hidden costs?
When balancing life's complex tensions, how do you know when you've crossed a line?
When war is a foreign insurgency, balancing human risks and possibility of success is a fundamental ethical dilemma for leaders. What do you think should happen in Afghanistan?
When choosing Nobel Peace Prize winners, should the Nobel Committee think of the future, using the Nobel's prestige to encourage
peace-making? Or should they identify achievements over time, rewarding
those shown worthy?
By 2050 some estimate that climate change will displace 150 million people, but the displaced won't qualify as refugees under international law. This short video asks: What should be done about relocation?
Should cultural treasures, acquired under dubious circumstances, be returned to their places of origin?
Can we regulate international space like the oceans? Pollution and illegal or unregulated fishing plague international waters. How can the problem be managed to maintain the health and beauty of our seas?
The global circulation of goods is a major source of both prosperity and carbon emissions. This short video on ethics asks: Can trade be regulated to maximize development and reduce environmental harm?
This short video on ethics asks: Who pays to stop global warming? How to allocate emissions allowances? If people are entitled to an equal share of the world's resources, should national allowances be allocated on a per capita basis? How about the billionaire in India who pollutes more than a poor person in urban Paris?
How do we put value on the forests as an indispensable element of our survival? Can we balance market mechanisms with regulations and consumption with sustainability?
Do states have a responsibility to protect the planet? If so, who would decide when environmental protection is a legitimate reason to interfere in the affairs of another state?
Do immigrants help or hurt America? Closed borders cut off the world's best and brightest, while open borders may invite the world's desperate, criminal, and crazy. Should we err on the side of opening doors or building walls?
Should you ever deal with dictators? Two American journalists held hostage in North Korea were released as a result of Bill Clinton's recent meeting with Kim Jong-il. Did the positive outcome justify lending credibility to one of the world's worst regimes?
If you don't know the roots under a farmers' market or a colleague's produce, should you trust the food you get from them? How does the joy of growing and giving fresh vegetables weigh against potential soil hazards? Does even a carrot require an ethical choice?
Should government supplement markets to increase the public good? Should it regulate markets to protect the public good? How much is too much regulation?
Policies are often debated along three dimensions: effectiveness, efficiency, and expediency. In place of a fourth dimension—applied ethics—we usually find sensationalism and polarization. Can public discourse rise above shouting?
Modern self-determination and the concept of nationality are closely linked, and have frequently led to instances of ethnic cleansing. Can nationalism and multi-ethnic societies co-exist? Must self-determination imply ethnic cleansing?
Is it ever ethical to violate a democratic constitution? If the rationale for military intervention is to save democracy, does that make it legitimate?
Why can't the U.S. negotiate a domestic solution to health care? Individuals are certainly responsible for their health. A wealthy society can also be responsible for its members. Is health care a primary right, or a personal responsibility?
French President Nicolas Sarkozy recently declared that burqas are not welcome in France. To some, the burqa represents the suppression of women. Yet many Muslim women embrace it. Should states have control over what people wear?
When are elections legitimate? What about Iran? Elections assume that losers accept results. Because many disagree, can they overturn an election? Should we believe authorities that declare elections valid?
Fairness is a universal concept, but its application depends on time and place. The three pillars of ethical choice—pluralism, rights and responsibilities, and fairness—are thus codependent, and balancing them demands dialogue among people.
Balancing rights and responsibilities is one of the pillars supporting ethical choice. How far do our rights extend? Do responsibilities diminish our entitlements?
How do we celebrate differences without falling into the trap of cultural relativism?
To become ethical, must behavior be grounded in a religious faith or other system of belief? How do we judge the behavior of states and people?
New York is no longer viewed as the financial capital of the world, or even of the United States. Given the recent government intervention in states' economies, will the free-market model be able to compete?
Participants in Britain's nuclear weapons testing program argued recently that health was damaged by radiation. Who is responsible? Should compensation be a legal matter or a moral one?
Senator Specter is now a Democrat. Was his decision to switch parties principled, pragmatic, or just expedient?
Torture is wrong. So who is culpable? The point people? The memo writers? The overseers? No one? Everyone?
According to Dambisa Moyo, large foreign aid flows to Africa disenfranchise Africans and prop up corrupt African leaders. If we follow Moyo's advice and cut off aid, what happens to the millions whose survival depends on it?
Competition magnifies the importance of choices people make, as penalties for failure and rewards for cheating increase. What would you do if faced with a high pressure choice in an environment which tolerates cheating?
How should we reward experts and how much? When the experts fail, should populist outrage be directed at those individuals or the system?
Can public discussion of issues acknowledge gray areas despite being polarized by the media and single issue groups?
What are the ethics of global sports development? Now that America's favorite pastime has gone global, is baseball watched and played for the love of the game? Or is it just business?
Do we respect the wishes of anti-Castro Americans, to restrict trade, or the wishes of agriculture and medical sales interests, to open Cuban markets? If we relax restrictions, do we reward repression? What do you think?
Banning headscarves may violate an individual's right of religious expression and choice. Allowing headscarves may violate a state's commitment to secularism. This short clip on ethics asks: How do we marry public goods and religious imperatives?
A Colombian immigrant was recently denied her investor's visa, forcing her to shut down her U.S. company and fire her six employees. Does immigration help or hurt American workers?
Should foreign companies fudge a commitment to free speech to gain early market access? Is some information better than none, or is censorship a black and white issue?
Less than one percent of the earth's water is consumable, and many parts of the world may be heading toward water bankruptcy. Should private ownership of water rights and delivery systems be encouraged, rejected, or better managed?
While saving jobs is an urgent task in today's economy, promoting "Buy American" policies may hurt our chances of recovering from the recession. This short video on ethics asks: How can we apply the Golden Rule to our trade and consumption patterns?
Virtual worlds are online environments in which users interact via self-designed persona called avatars. Virtual reality can be entertaining and educational, but at what point does too much virtual become a vice?
What is true for the individual may not be true for the group, the state, or the international system, and vice versa. Does this suggest that ethics is personal, not institutional or governmental? For you, at what levels does ethical choice live?
This short video on ethics asks: How can we resolve the financial melt-down and prevent another? Solutions focus on free markets, regulation, or rewards. Perhaps we should balance all three? But how? How can we resolve the financial melt-down and prevent another? Solutions focus on free markets, regulation, or rewards. Perhaps we should balance all three? But how?
What criteria do you emphasize when deciding "How is my country doing?" Are you proud of how your country compares with the world?
Should we observe Morgenthau's principles--avoid the crusading spirit and heed others' perspectives--or is promoting democracy and taking a forceful stand indispensable to U.S. foreign policy?
This short video on ethics asks: What does the financial crisis imply? Should we liberalize trade on agriculture
and services? Or should we protect domestic producers?What does the financial crisis imply? Should we liberalize trade on agriculture
and services? Or should we protect domestic producers?
Can intelligent robot soldiers be designed to be more ethical in battle than human soldiers? Would you prefer a robot or a human deciding about the possibility of civilian casualties, about collateral damage?
This short video on ethics asks: Will our responses to the financial crisis be constructive, or will panic cloud our judgments? How do you face fear in a time of crisis?Will our responses to the financial crisis be constructive, or will panic cloud our judgments?
This short video on ethics asks: Will people associate U.S. power with "global misery" or with the opportunity and pluralism that Obama's victory represents? There is clearly a need to reflect on the future of market capitalism.
Are ethics primary questions that precede and surround practical leadership? Are these daily questions that inform each political decision?
How will President Obama deal with the hopes and fears of people abroad? Will his priority be the interests of the United States or will the welfare of those beyond America’s borders also count?
We enter a slippery ethical slope when we begin to make distinctions between victims. When can an individual's rights be set aside?
Is fast food an ethical as well as a dietary issue? Yes, says the slow-food movement whose motto is: good, clean, fair food. Let's look at this claim more closely.
The presidential candidates assert that America must renew its global moral authority, but they dance, offering no solutions. Let’s take a closer look.
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