Five Uneasy Pieces: American Ethics in a Globalized World

Mark Gibney has written a passionate plea for the United States’ society to take ethically responsible positions outside its borders. Skillfully combining common sense with concrete examples and written in a most readable style, Gibney shows that U.S. policies abroad too often contradict the domestic agenda and how Americans perceive themselves. He optimistically sees the beginning of a transformation in the classical distinction between ‘us’ and ‘them’ and this book should make an important contribution toward a more consistent ethical standard of behavior by the American people throughout the world. — Daniel Warner, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva

Since 9/11, both international law and American values have been undermined by the reactions of the Bush administration and others to that tragic event. Defining and combating ‘terrorism’ seems increasingly to depend on one’s own political persuasion, and unilateral coercion rather than multilateral consensus has become the order of the day. Mark Gibney offers a welcome critique of ethics in American foreign policy that should spark more meaningful debate on the extent to which the views and values of the rest of the world should matter to future American policymakers. — Hurst Hannum, Tufts University

In current international relations there is a perceived choice of ‘good vs. evil.’ The ‘good’ acts ethically, the ‘evil’ unethically. Mark Gibney challenges this notion, questions why the world ‘hates America,’ and argues convincingly that the U.S. administration and the American people behave far less ethically in their international conduct than what is commonly appreciated. He insightfully questions whether there is one acceptable conduct at home―another abroad. A timely, thought-provoking, and honest contribution to current debate. — Sigrun I. Skogly, Lancaster University Law School

A clear well-written book that deserves the attention of serious scholars. ― Political Studies Review

Gibney offers an intriguing book sure to raise eyebrows. Recommended. ― CHOICE