State Morality

Abstract

"Such a pronouncement from such a quarter appears to support certain tendencies in our modern civilisation which are far from being desirable; but it should be recognised at once that Dr. Bevan's purpose was not by any means to argue that moral imperatives exist for individuals but not for national or imperial communities. He affirms, however, that for States and Governments these imperatives are restricted to the ethics of justice and equity, and fall short of the law of love; they can never demand selfdevotion for no State policy has any right to be generous and altruistic to the point of national self sacrifice."