Applied English for International Politics

Chapter 11 Reading: pp. 315-320
Due Tuesday, October 14, 2002

Name ___________________________ Mailbox ______

1. What is morality (in the Chapter title)?

Morality = beliefs or ideas about what is right or wrong and how people should act. For example, many people think it is wrong ("immoral") to lie.

2. What does "Should states be held to the same standards as individuals" mean? (p. 315-316)

This means that countries should not do what people should not do. For example, if people should not kill each other, then countries should also never kill. Or, if people should not keep weapons, then countries should not keep weapons.

3. What are three areas of law and morality and one controversial example of each? You can use your own examples or examples from the text. (pp. 316-320)

a. war

Example: Should wars be fought only in self-defense? or Is it moral to fight a war only with planes so no soldiers die?

b .sovereignty

Example: Does state sovereignty mean a state (country) can do whatever it wants including, for example, have a military government? or Does an international organization have the power or right to rid of a military government (Haiti)? Should what happends inside a country be the concern of others countries or international organizations?

c. biosphere (environment)

Example: Does a state have the right to extend it's territory more than 3 miles out from it's borders so there is more access to fish and oil? or Should a state be allowed to pollute the air as much as it wishes?

d. human rights

Example: Should international law limit the death penalty? or Should international law protect the rights of women?