Moral diplomacy is a diplomatic style proposed by President Woodrow Wilson in his 1912 United States presidential election. It is a system in which support is given only to countries whose beliefs are analogous to that of the United States. Wilson believed that democracy is the most essential aspect of a stable and prospering nation, and that the United States had to play the pioneering role in promoting democracy and peace throughout the world. Several nations, especially in Latin-America, were under the influence of imperialism, something that Wilson opposed. In order to curb the growth of imperialism and spread democracy, Wilson came up with the idea of moral diplomacy.
Wilsons moral diplomacy replaced the dollar diplomacy of William Howard Taft, which highlighted the importance of economic support to improve bilateral ties between two nations. Tafts dollar diplomacy was based on economic support, while Wilsons moral diplomacy was based on economic power. Under Wilsons moral diplomacy, foreign policy was hinged upon moral values rather than purely imperialist interests. At its core was the principle of “self-determination,” the moral right of people to choose their form of government and leaders by democratic elections.
Wilson hoped to revolutionize the conduct of international affairs at the peace table after World War I. He first outlined his vision in the “Fourteen Points” speech delivered to Congress on January 8, 1918. It called for a “new diplomacy” consisting of “open covenants openly arrived at.” Secret treaties, like the ones that had pulled the world into war in 1914, were to be avoided.
In summary, moral diplomacy is a diplomatic style proposed by President Woodrow Wilson that is based on the principle of “self-determination” and support is given only to countries whose beliefs are analogous to that of the United States. It replaced the dollar diplomacy of William Howard Taft, which highlighted the importance of economic support to improve bilateral ties between two nations.
