A HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE OF THE ETHICAL ASPECTS OF AWARDS IN DIPLOMACY: MORAL VALUES VERSUS POLITICAL INTERESTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2307-7778/2025.1.19Keywords:
diplomatic awards, ethics in politics, state honors, political influence, conflict of interest, symbolic diplomacy, ethical standards, codes of conduct, award criteria, historical precedents, comparative analysisAbstract
This article explores the ethical aspects of awards in diplomacy, particularly their interrelationwith moral values and political interests. The aim of the study is to analyze how diplomatic awards, on the one hand, serve as recognition of merit, and on the other hand, can become instruments of political influence.The author examines historical and contemporary examples of state awards to identify trends associated with ethics and diplomatic practice.The study is based on the analysis of international precedents, legal frameworks, and ethical codes reg-ulating the awards system in the diplomatic sphere. Special attention is given to issues of conflict of interest,the manipulative potential of awards, and their impact on the international image of states. The results of the study indicate that diplomatic awards often balance between symbolic recognition and political expediency. It is found that in certain cases, awards may raise ethical dilemmas, especially when bestowed upon representatives of authoritarian regimes or individuals whose actions contradict universal human values.The article offers recommendations for improving award criteria, including the introduction of addi- tional ethical filters and public accountability mechanisms. It also substantiates the need for international dialogue aimed at harmonizing approaches to diplomatic awards.This work is relevant for professionals in international relations, diplomacy, and political ethics, as ithighlights an important yet underexplored aspect of diplomatic practice. The findings may serve as a basis for further academic research and for the development of ethical standards in the field of state honors.
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