

Do Morals Matter? Presidents & Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump, with Joseph Nye
Feb 4, 2020
Joseph Nye, former dean of the Harvard Kennedy School and an expert in international relations, discusses the moral dimensions of U.S. foreign policy from FDR to Trump. He evaluates how ethical considerations influence decisions, from Truman's nuclear choices to the Iraq War. Nye critiques American exceptionalism, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of national interests that includes humanitarian responsibilities. He highlights the importance of context, emotional intelligence, and legality in ethical governance, revealing the intricate balance presidents must strike.
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Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6
Intro
00:00 • 4min
Morality in Foreign Policy
04:04 • 8min
Morals in Foreign Policy
11:36 • 12min
The Complexities of Morality in Political Decisions
23:26 • 7min
Ethics of Self-Defense in Foreign Policy
30:32 • 35min
The Complex Interplay of Morality and Politics in Presidential Decision-Making
01:05:09 • 3min