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As the western hegemony declines and a multipolar world emerges, philosopher Tzvetan Todorov questions himself on the complex relations between morale and politics; two concepts seemingly opposed to one another. The former refers to values and universal principles, whilst the latter advocates a results-oriented culture and the protection of certain interests. More specifically, the author argues about the role played – or that could be played – by morale in international relations. Through a rational and critical analysis of doctrines concerning military or humanitarian interventions, of what he calls “democratic messianism”, the author pinpoints the dangers of political action that is justifiable solely by moral principles.