Conflict Quote by Romeo Dallaire
““How do we pick and choose where to get involved? Canada and other peacekeeping nations have become accustomed to acting if, and only if, international public opinion will support them - a dangerous path that leads to a moral relativism in which a country risks losing sight of the difference between good and evil, a concept that some players on the international stage view as outmoded. Some governments regard the use of force itself as the greatest evil. Others define "good" as the pursuit of human rights and will opt to employ force when human rights are violated. As the nineties drew to a close and the new millennium dawned with no sign of an end to these ugly little wars, it was as if each troubling conflict we were faced with had to pass the test of whether we could "care" about it or "identify" with the victims before we'd get involved.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: UN Peacekeeping Conference, 1999
The quote warns that nations may base intervention decisions on shifting public opinion, leading to moral relativism and loss of clear ethical standards.
In simple terms: Choosing wars based on opinion can blur moral lines.
Key Takeaway
Maintain consistent ethical criteria for involvement.
Themes
peacekeeping
ethics
public opinion
intervention
human rights
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
political
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- UN missions
- humanitarian crises
- foreign policy debates
- media influence
Key Concepts
moral relativism
ethical consistency
political pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a nation define immutable ethical standards for intervention?
- What role should public opinion play in foreign policy decisions?
A Different Perspective
Public opinion can be volatile, making consistent moral judgments difficult.
