Why Political Morality Matters

Do ethics have a place in the political sphere? Are the moral rules different for politicians? Invoking the authority of Machiavelli, David McCabe argues that there is a distinct moral framework for the political world, but it is nonetheless rooted in ordinary ethical principles. At a time of widespread distrust of politics and politicians in liberal democracies worldwide, this book boldly claims that, whether we like it or not, we cannot hold politicians to the same moral standards as everyone else. Yet this does not mean that anything goes. Political morality still matters and, for it to work, political ethics must be based on principles that all citizens are familiar with and can endorse. Why Political Morality Matters innovatively provides an alternative to the realism-moralism dichotomy by rescuing Machiavelli’s position, formed during an age of civil strife. In dialogue with both The Prince and the latest political and ethical literature, McCabe sets out the main moral principles that he proposes should govern the complex realm of modern politics. An important consideration is role morality, as politics qua profession entails various roles, each of which, for McCabe, put not only different practical demands on those who hold them, but different moral demands, too. With case studies from Boris Johnson’s attempt to prorogue parliament to Barack Obama’s unfulfilled campaign promise to close Guantanamo Bay, this book maintains that an agreed ethical framework for the political domain would allow us to better assess politicians’ behaviour. After all, as history consistently reminds us, functioning democracies depend in no small part on the citizens broadly accepting the decisions and actions of their political actors.