Dealings Quote by William Hague
“Where defining foreign policy as 'ethical' went wrong was that it implied that all decisions would be exclusive in every respect of any dealings with unethical regimes.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: House of Commons debate on foreign policy, 2015
Treating foreign policy as purely ethical suggests every decision must avoid any unethical partner, which is impractical.
In simple terms: Ethical foreign policy is unrealistic if it excludes all dealings with unethical regimes.
Key Takeaway
Balance ethics with pragmatic engagement.
Themes
ethics
foreign policy
realism
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- diplomatic negotiations
- trade agreements
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
realpolitik
moral compromise
Questions to Reflect On
- How can states uphold values while engaging with questionable regimes?
- What criteria determine acceptable compromise?
A Different Perspective
Idealistic ethics can hinder necessary strategic alliances.
