Lebow demonstrates that foreign policies consistent with generally accepted ethical norms are more likely to succeed, and those at odds with them to fail. Constructing original data sets and analyzing multiple case studies, Lebow makes an empirical case for ethics in international relations. His approach looks to create a productive dialogue between those who ask primarily 'ought' questions and those who pose 'is' questions. The former want to establish appropriate criteria for the behaviour of state and non-state actors and the discourses that lead to their policy decisions, whereas scholars who pose 'is' questions are concerned with how political actors behave and the principles and assumptions that might explain their behaviour. Lebow bridges the gap between 'is' and 'ought' questions by making an instrumental argument in favour of ethical foreign policy. He examines policymaking as well as policy, offering ethical guidelines for policymaking that are likely to result in more successful policies.
Richard Ned Lebow is the author of 40 scholarly books and over 300 articles and book chapters on international relations, political theory, political psychology, history, classics, and philosophy of science. He is a fellow of the British Academy.
'Ethical foreign policy can be good foreign policy, and in this comprehensive and provocative study full of historical and cross-national cases, Lebow shows how tragedy can be the corrective that ensures both.' Brent J. Steele, Professor, Political Science Department, The University of Utah
Richard Ned Lebow, Feng Zhang, Dartmouth College) Lebow, Richard Ned (Professor of Government, Professor of Government, Australian National University) Zhang, Feng (Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, LEBOW, Lebow
Richard Ned Lebow, Feng Zhang, Dartmouth College) Lebow, Richard Ned (Professor of Government, Professor of Government, Australian National University) Zhang, Feng (Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Richard Ned LeBow
Richard Ned Lebow, Feng Zhang, King's College London) Lebow, Richard Ned (Professor of International Political Theory, Professor of International Political Theory, South China University of Technology) Zhang, Feng (Professor of International Relations and Executive Dean of the Institute of Public Policy, Professor of International Relations and Executive Dean of the Institute of Public Policy
Richard Ned Lebow, Feng Zhang, King's College London) Lebow, Richard Ned (Professor of International Political Theory, Professor of International Political Theory, South China University of Technology) Zhang, Feng (Professor of International Relations and Executive Dean of the Institute of Public Policy, Professor of International Relations and Executive Dean of the Institute of Public Policy, Richard Ned LeBow
Richard Ned Lebow, Feng Zhang, Dartmouth College) Lebow, Richard Ned (Professor of Government, Professor of Government, Australian National University) Zhang, Feng (Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Richard Ned LeBow