Cooperation with Evil: Question

[Avatar_Federal]

I’m wondering about the application of morality to Foreign Policy;

For example, let’s say the U.S is trading with China (PRC) and the U.S knows that China is violating human rights, freedoms etc. is the trade relationship between the two countries immoral? Has the U.S committed an immoral action?

Would an Economic Sanction be justified in order to end this immoral action?

Thanks!

 

[Ron_Conte]

Cooperation with evil refers to cooperation with whatever is evil in an act,
not to cooperation with a person or a group of persons.

If the U.S. were to cooperate with an evil act by China,
such as a human rights abuse, that would be immoral.
But merely cooperating with a nation that has committed
some immoral acts is not cooperation with evil.

 

[fabricdragon]

not a theologian…

in MY case, since i firmly believe that giving any of my money to China is assisting evil. or at least tolerating it (in the form of mistreatment of people, Xtian and not) i have simply begin looking for “not made in China” alternatives to anything i buy.

i can VOTE for changes in my govt, and i do…
but i am responsible for my 8direct* financial support… more than any wickedness in govt spending.

 

[Avatar_Federal]

Thanks for the answers!

@ Ron:

But what about the fact that such trade enables and gives support to the regime oppressing the people? Doesn’t it meet the “material co-operation” standard? Do nations have obligations to protecting human dignity and human rights? If they do, then should they trade with nations that violate human dignity and human rights?

Thanks!

 

[Ron_Conte]

But what about the fact that such trade enables and gives support to the regime oppressing the people? Doesn’t it meet the “material co-operation” standard? Do nations have obligations to protecting human dignity and human rights? If they do, then should they trade with nations that violate human dignity and human rights?

Material cooperation occurs when your **act **assists the **act **of the other person (or group of persons) in attaining evil consequences.

It is not cooperation of any kind if you are merely assisting the person (or group), and he (or they) happen to be sinners. Cooperation with evil refers to acts, not persons. We are all sinners. It is not cooperation with evil merely because your act helps another person, and he is sinning in some way.

 

[Jermosh]

Its a tricky subjective slippery slope. We pay taxes to a govt that performs all fashions of evil events, should we stop paying taxes? Leave the country? If you attempt to cut such ties, how will they ever learn?