Article
Against the dichotomy of morality and self-interest: A review of Power’s “A Problem from Hell” America and the Age of Genocide
Behavior and Social Issues
(2011)
Abstract
Power's book is reviewed as a powerful analysis of American foreign policy involving genocide. Although behavior analysts will find themselves closely aligned with much of the book, they will likely find fault with Power's conclusion that there are two contrasting determinants of a nation's likelihood of intervening in cases of genocide internationally: a) the moral values of an intervening nation that supports human rights, and b) national interests. In behavior analysis, moral values are not viewed as causal entities, and as a result the dichotomy that casts acting out of self-interest and acting out of morality as opposites must be dissolved. The resulting re-conceptualization is in line with what Power described as "enlightened self-interest," which is discussed as a more accurate predictor of foreign policy decision-making and a more effective vehicle for promoting human rights worldwide.
Keywords
- Human rights,
- Foreign policy,
- Morality,
- Political activism,
- Crime,
- Murders & murder attempts,
- Biological & chemical weapons,
- Genocide,
- Conventions
Disciplines
Publication Date
2011
Citation Information
Michelle Ennis Soreth. "Against the dichotomy of morality and self-interest: A review of Power’s “A Problem from Hell” America and the Age of Genocide" Behavior and Social Issues Vol. 20 (2011) p. 32 - 43 ISSN: 1064-9506 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michelle-soreth/1/