Ethics in the International Relations: Theories and Normative Theories of International Relations

The exit different and sometimes controversial images, assumptions and predispositions on the relationship between ethics and politics. Some argue that there is no serious relationship between those two. The examination of the relationship between ethics and international politics from the perspective of international relations theories can illuminate and elaborate the quality of this relationship. From this angle, this paper raises and answers two queries:1. Where ethics stands, in the theories of international relations at large?2. What are the normative and ethical theories of international relations In response to these questions, the existing realist, neoliberal and radical theories will be examined through the prism of ethics and their attachment to ethical argumentations will be gauged. Then, the normative theories, especially communitarian and cosmopolitan ones, will be analyzed. These examinations will prove the basic argument of this paper that contrary to the prevailing assumption, ethics is a major issue for all theories of international relations.