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Old 02-04-2004, 08:48 AM   #50 (permalink)
filtherton
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Let me first just say that i think that the words morality and ethics are interchangable in this instance so i use them that way.

I look at morality/ethics in politics like i look at world peace. Just like there is always going to be somebody who will resort to violence as a viable means to solve problems, somebody will always resort to immoral/unethical actions to achieve their goals.

Like you said before, politics, as they apply to humanity, are a human creation. While we might create such things with the best intentions we are all only human and the qualities of selfishness and shortsightedness are just as inherent in the human condition as compassion and integrity. We can just as easily inject any human creation with reprehensible behavior as we can inject it with virtuous behavior.
Th reason i think morality/ethics generally don't exist in any meaningful form in politics is this: When there are no rules governing conduct between two competing forces, the side that is willing to resort to tactics that the other won't will be the victorious one. I realize that politics are heavily regulated, but in light of restrictions placed on regulations due to the first amendment they don't amount to much in terms of putting morality back in the mix. The gop can still unethically read electronic communications between members of the democratic party discussing unethical political battle strategies against the gop.
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