Unit 8: Foreign Relations, Foreign Trade, Foreign Aid, and Military Intervention
In this unit, you will examine ethical issues that arise in foreign policy. What is America's ethical role in the world? Should we be the world's policeman? Do we have a duty to act multilaterally, or should we act unilaterally, and if so, under what circumstances? What is America's duty to care for the poor, sick, or infirm outside of our borders? What legal and ethical constraints should be placed on international trade? How do we balance moral obligations with national security realities and global financial realities?
Each of these dilemmas may be examined under the five frameworks discussed in Unit 2, sometimes resulting in different outcomes. You will see which frameworks lawmakers, judges, and officials tend to apply to different types of issues and circumstances. Understanding how these dilemmas are approached and resolved in practice is important for students of political science and public policy; it is also essential knowledge for those planning to enter the legal, public service, or lobbying professions.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 11 hours.
Unit 8 Assessment
For this assessment, you will draft a 1- to 2-page memo based on the prompts and instructions contained in the assignment. Once you have done so, check your work against the guide to responding.