1. Between Nihilism and Utopianism: Military Intervention, the Tragic and Rescuing the Human Daniel. M. Bell, Jr. CGSCF Ethics Symposium 2016

2. Niccolo Machiavelli Many men have imagined republics and principalities that never really existed at all. Yet the way men live is so far removed from the way they ought to live that anyone who abandons what is for what should be pursues his downfall rather than his preservation; for a man who strives after goodness in all his acts is sure to come to ruin, since there are so many men who are not good. Hence it is necessary that a prince who is interested in survival learn to be other than good, making use of this capacity or refraining from it according to the need.

3. Introduction: What Matters More?  Reflect on intervention in terms of our moral identity, in terms of the best that we claim to be about.  Offer an account of the American experiment that asserts the primacy of the moral / the good in politics against realism, while avoiding the pitfall of utopian idealism.  Reclaiming tragedy, which is crucial both to honoring the good in this world where indeed, as Machiavelli says, so many are not good, and to rescuing the human.

4. 1. Never Again, and Again, and Again… Things That Matter More (S. Power “A Problem from Hell” America and the Age of Genocide) 1. National Sovereignty 2. Geopolitical Influence and Foreign Relations 3. American Lives 4. Domestic Politics 5. National Interest

5. 1. Never Again, and Again, and Again… The 20 th Century: A Success Story “Before I began exploring America’s relationship with genocide, I used to refer to U.S. policy toward Bosnia as a “failure.” I have changed my mind. It is daunting to acknowledge, but this country’s consistent policy of nonintervention in the face of genocide offers sad testimony not to a broken American political system but to one that is ruthlessly effective. The system, as it stands now, is working.” “The real reason the United States did not do what it could and should have done to stop genocide was not a lack of knowledge or influence but a lack of will. Simply put, American leaders did not act because they did not want to. They believed genocide was wrong, but they were not prepared to invest the military, financial, diplomatic, or domestic capital needed to stop it.”

6. 2. Just Who In This Hell Are We? “This is not just a vote about Bosnia. It’s a vote about America. It’s a vote about what we stand for. About our humanity and our principles.” Realism’s Dance with the Devil Hans Morgenthau: “political ethics is indeed the ethics of doing evil.” The Primacy of Politics: Ethics Subordinated to Interests National interest is the standard for political action

7. 2. Just Who In This Hell Are We? The American Experiment and Justice for All (2 visions of America) Realism: America is a collection of possessive, self-interested individuals – egoists. Civic Republican: Human ends (not interests but life, liberty, “happiness”) as a project shared with all of humanity. Requires governments and power. Declaration of Independence & Constitution A vision of a moral politics, which includes the moral use of power/force. “Justice for all” ~ people united in a common moral project of shared welfare and flourishing that embraces all of humanity

8. 2. Just Who In This Hell Are We? The Primacy of Morality and Military Intervention American experiment – America embodying a moral project of ordered liberty for all – foregrounds deliberations regarding military intervention. Recognizes the primacy of morality in politics. Contrasts with 20 th cent. utopianism, which ignored power.

9. 3. The Tragic Between Nihilism and Utopianism Realism, Nihilism, and the Loss of the Human Realists often claim the mantle of tragedy against utopians: Human imperfection Realism is not tragic but fatalistic. Resignation. Despair. = Nihilistic Deficient understanding of the human: A beast with a bad conscience

10. 3. The Tragic Between Nihilism and Utopianism The Irony of Realism Cannot openly admit nihilism and rejection of American experiment. Therefore, cynically feeds utopianism / American exceptionalism - perfection

11. 3. The Tragic Between Nihilism and Utopianism Defining Tragedy Tragedy recognizes imperfection of humanity But also recognizes that good is a genuine possibility Genuinely tragic politics = has a real possibility of achieving good but is vulnerable to missing the mark. The American experiment is just such a tragic politics. Seeks a genuine good But does not ignore possibility of falling short.

12. 3. The Tragic Between Nihilism and Utopianism Just War and Reasonable Chance of Success Tragic politics rejects Crusade in favor of Just War Just War: aims at good, recognizes possibility of corruption / failure Example: Reasonable Chance of Success Tragic sense that sometimes we cannot attain the good we desire.

13. Conclusion: Tragedy and Rescuing the Human Realism, and the utopian offspring of its cynicism, cannot deal with the human. Cannot deal with less than perfect results, failure, etc. Example: Wounded warriors Only tragic vision can face human suffering and act to overcome it. Recognizes failure and limits but does not despair. Also recognizes the good. More than Beasts…

14. Human Nature Politics America WarWar Realism (Nihilism) Corrupt and evil Egoists seeking domination This is permanent condition Fatalistic Morality subordinate to Politics National Interest is primary Struggle of wills for power Collection of egoists Ends Justify Means Tragedy Imperfect: can fail + limited Therefore power necessary Good is possible Morality primary in politics Human ends are shared mission Experiment in Justice for All Capable of good but need power, checks & balances Just War: pursue good, recognize need for restraint Reasonable Chance of Success: May not be able to do all the good that we desire Utopianism Humans are good becomes good v evil Don’t need power becomes crusade Morality primary Isolation becomes crusade American Perfection becomes Exceptionalism Pacifist becomes Crusader no restraint