Global ethics

How can ethical considerations become more routinely incorporated into global decisions?

Short Overview

Although short-term economic me-first attitudes are prevalent throughout the world, love for humanity and global consciousness are also evident in the norms expressed in the many UN treaties, UN organizations, international philanthropy, the Olympic spirit, inter-religious dialogues, refugee relief, development programs for poorer nations, doctors without borders, and international journalism. Heads of State and governments meet more often than ever before to improve the human condition. Human rights, transparency, and rule of law as policy criteria are relatively new in diplomatic history. But all this progress has been too slow. The rising number of protests around the world shows a growing unwillingness to tolerate unethical decisionmaking by power elites. An increasingly educated and Internet-connected generation is increasingly rising up against the abuse of power and demanding accountability.