Ethics and Activism : The Theory and Practice of Political Morality

This book, first published in 1997, explores social activism on three continents: Jewish rescue in Europe during World War II, abortion politics in the United States and peace and settler activism in Israel. Dr Gross challenges the strong moral role we often attribute to responsible citizens and emphasizes the competitive and parochial nature of morally inspired activism.

Responsible citizens are expected to combine ethical judgement with judiciously exercised social activism to preserve the moral foundation of democratic society and prevent political injustice. But do they? Utilizing a research model integrating insights from rational choice theory and cognitive developmental psychology this book, first published in 1997, carefully explores three exemplary cases of morally inspired activism: Jewish rescue in wartime Europe, abortion politics in the United States, and peace and settler activism in Israel. From all three analyses a single conclusion emerges: the most politically competent individuals are, most often, the least morally competent. This is the central paradox of political morality. These findings cast doubt on strong models of political morality characterized by enlightened moral reasoning and concerted political action while affirming alternative weak models that fuse activism with sectarian moral interests. They provide empirical support to further upend the liberal vision of democratic character, education, and society.