STUDENT LED TUTORIAL: Are “Dirty Hands” Necessary In Politics?
By: Yiannis Iordanous
Political
Action: The Problem of Dirty Hands (YES)
Written by: Michael Walzer
SUMMARY OF ARTICLE
n Elected officials can be deceptive and corrupt
o They lie for personal advancement; steal for individual gain.
n We may accept amoral acts if:
o It serves public interest; person feels remorse
n Expression “the ends justify the means” used to describe “Dirty Hand politics.”
n In non-democratic countries dirty hands are not a concern
o Due to weakness in moral and legal codes
n A question that arises is whether or not man could ever face a moral dilemma, a situation where one chooses between two courses of action but both are wrong to undertake.
o Thomas Nagel argues it could happen when one is forced to choose between upholding a moral principle and avoiding a looming disaster.
o R.B. Brandt argued that is could not happen; there are guidelines and calculations to follow that will determine our course of action.
o R.M. Hare suggests individuals may wrongly believe they are faced with a moral dilemma when the “products of his moral education comes into conflict with injunctions developed at a higher level.” He suggested that there is no dilemma; the conflict should be solved at the higher level.
n Many men have faced moral dilemmas, especially those involved in political activity of war.
o The dilemma appears most often as the problem of “Dirty Hands.”
n Most believe that those who govern them are not innocent; this doesn’t mean it is not possible to do the right thing while governing.
n Act of government may be right in utilitarian terms but leave men who did it guilty of a moral wrong.
n If however, he remains innocent, he not only fails to do the right thing but also fails to measure up to duties of his office.
n Dirty Hands: derived from notion to refute “absolutism” without denying reality of moral dilemma.
n Dilemma of dirty hands is a central feature of political life, and it occurs frequently and systematically.
o Why is the politician singled out? (Others lie, cheat etc.)
§ He claims to play a different role; acts on our behalf.
§ He hustles and lies for us; but we suspect he may act for himself.
n Politicians thought to be worse than rest of us, because they rule over us; pleasures of ruling are greater than pleasures of being ruled.
o Become “visible architect of our restraint”
o Taxes us, licenses us, forbids us, permits us.
n Weight of official violence in human history suggests power to which politicians aspire.
o Men who act in our name are killers, or become killers quickly.
n Decent people still enter politics; they must learn lessons from Machiavelli “How not to be good.”
o They will not succeed unless they learn, because they are working and struggling among “so many who are not good.”
n 3 things make political life the way it is:
o
We claim to act for others but also serve
ourselves
o
Rule over others
o Use violence against them
Situations Where Dirty Hands are Needed:
n We have a right to avoid positions that we may be forced to do terrible things; politicians do not.
1) Elections:
§ There is a candidate who wants to win but doesn’t want to get hands dirty.
§ Decision to run was a commitment to try to win (do whatever is necessary).
§ In order to win election candidate must make deal with dishonest ward boss.
§ Some support him because they know he wouldn’t make such deals.
§ Because he has scruples about deal we want him to make it (we know he is a good man)
§ He is doing right because he knows he is doing wrong (this is Dirty Hands)
2) Torturing a Prisoner:
§ A man wins office with pledge to decolonization and stop war
§ On day he wins he goes off to negotiate with rebels.
§ He is asked to authorize torture of rebel leader who presumably knows location of number of bombs set to go off within 24 hours (killing thousands)
§ He orders man tortured, even though he thinks its wrong.
§ He commits a moral crime, and accepts moral burden.
§ In a perfect world politicians would be moral and law abiding
§ Shugarman suggests that if one politician buys votes why shouldn’t others
§ When quick decisions are needed, Dirty Hands are necessary.
Examples of Dirty Hands Politics
§ Trudeau proposing the War Measures Act during the October Crisis
o Infringed on the rights of a few, for the good of the country.
§ Bill Clinton had many questionable actions but he showed remorse
o In turn, he was always loved by the public
§
MKULTRA project: a mind control experiment conducted
by
§
Nixon’s approval of B-52 attacks against Viet
Cong and North Vietnamese in
o In the end thousands of Cambodians were killed; Khmer Rouge strengthened.
§
War on
COMPREHENSION AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) Why is “dirty hand politics” not an issue is non-democratic countries? (Refer to pg. 337)
2) In what circumstances does the public accept amoral acts from politicians? Are amoral acts excusable in any circumstances? (Refer to pg. 337)
3) In your opinion, can a man face a moral dilemma (as suggested by Thomas Nagel), or is this dilemma merely an illusion (as suggested by R.M. Hare)? (Refer to pg. 339)
4) In Sartre’s play Hoerderer, the title character says: “I have dirty hands right up to the elbows. I’ve plunged them into filth and blood. Do you think you can govern innocently?” Comment on this statement. Do you think you would be able to govern innocently? (Refer to pg. 339)
5) According to Walzer, what are the consequences of taking an “absolutist” stance in politics? (Refer to pg. 340)
6) Why are politicians singled out as being morally worse than others in society, when it is apparent that cheating, lying and intrigue are common among other entrepreneurs? Is too much expected of them? (Refer to pg. 340)
7) What is “moral Machiavellianism”? What contributions has Machiavelli made to political thinking? Are his ideas still applicable (or valid) today? (Refer to pg. 338 and 341)
8) What is meant by the term “Dirty Hands”? In your opinion, is this a moral political practice? (Refer to pg 343)
9) Walzer presents us with two cases that call for the use of Dirty Hands. In your opinion, what other options could the political characters have exercised? Were they truly facing moral dilemmas? (Refer to pgs. 342-345)
10) In reference to the first case Walzer illustrates (the corrupt election), do you agree that the politician “is doing the right thing because he knows he is doing wrong”? Is this ironic? (Refer to pg 343)
11) What does Walzer suggest causes political life to be the kind of life it is? (3 causes; Refer to pg 344)
12) What place (if any) do Dirty Hands have in a democratic society? Is it possible to succeed in politics without Dirty Hands?
