Global Dialogues

In history, moral authority usually came from established institutions like religious bodies, governments, or cultural leaders. Back then, the question of who had the authority to judge others and to create moral and civil standards was a complex and multifaceted one. Even now, as the global landscape becomes increasingly interconnected yet divided on key issues, agreeing who has the ultimate authority on setting certain moral standards is difficult, as we consider how dispersed and contested it has become.

International organizations like the United Nations and the International Criminal Court were once considered central pillars of global moral authority, promoting peace, justice, and human rights. They bear the brunt of the expectation and hope that if organizations like them exist in our world, then we would be able to better handle events like polarizing wars or genocides. However, it has been demonstrated that international organizations are only able to act as a form of moral authority if they are impervious to political gridlock, power imbalances, and the growing influence of major powers with competing agendas.

Religious leaders and institutions still hold moral authority in many parts of the world, particularly in regions where religion plays a more central role in daily life. Figures such as the pope or influential imams and rabbis continue to provide ethical guidance on personal and societal issues. However, their influence has waned in more secular societies, and some people find that religious doctrine/guidance isn’t always able to be connected to more modern issues. In the case of intellectuals, we find that their work often challenges conventional thinking and advocates for a more equitable and ethical world. They are able to use their own perspectives to express critical thoughts and ideas regarding justice, inequality, and human rights. However, intellectuals, too, are not immune from the forces of polarization. For both, any moral authority they have cannot really be considered to be global either.

We also must acknowledge those who make up the international institutions, and what religious leaders and intellectuals are when stripped of their power and titles: ordinary people. Global moral authority cannot come from a single person, religion, idea, or institution. It’s impossible to exact a moral standard that everyone full heartedly believes in and supports. That’s why, if we wanted to find moral authority in today’s world, we could find it in the hands of the individuals who act according to the golden rule. The golden rule—"treat others as you would want to be treated"—has been a cornerstone of moral philosophy across cultures and religions for centuries.

The question of where is moral authority is not really a question that should be asked, but rather an ideal that we should strive for. After all, it was Gandhi who said, “be the change that you wish to see in the world”. It’s impossible to assign to one person, or religious idea, or institution, but if moral authority is something we try to practice ourselves, it becomes much more real and effective.

Noor Long (SFS '28) is a freshman in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.