BALANCED GLOBAL AND CONTEXTUAL ETHICAL VALUES - A COMPARISON OF OFFICIAL NATIONAL VALUE SYSTEMS AND PROPOSALS FOR THE NEW CONTEXT

Globalisation strengthened international common values, as agreed by the community of nations in the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2015-2030. However, new polarizations and signs of new Cold War lead many countries to reformulate their own national values in the new context. Nations often formulate their national values in the preambles of their constitutions. This contribution analyses national values of selected seven countries (Asia: Vietnam, China, Bhutan. Europe/US: US, Switzerland, France, Africa: South Africa) and compares them with the UN SDGs. The paper calls for a balanced ethical system of global and contextual values, strengthening the unity of humanity and the diversity of cultures, religions and economic-social systems. It shows the interconnectivity of values such as community and freedom, justice/equality and peace, sovereignty and solidarity. It also calls for a balance of virtues such as self-confidence and humility, respect and courage, reliability and integrity. This article concludes with a number of questions and recommendations for the development of national value systems in the new context.