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>but asking for countries to do this or that which are against their interests is called hypocrisy. No it's not. The definition of "hypocrisy" from wiktionary: > 1. The contrivance of a false appearance of virtue or goodness, while concealing real character or inclinations, especially with respect to religious and moral beliefs; hence in general sense, dissimulation, pretence, sham. > 2. The claim or pretense of having beliefs, standards, qualities, behaviours, virtues, motivations, etc. which one does not really have. [from early 13th c.] > 3. The practice of engaging in the same behaviour or activity for which one criticises another; moral self-contradiction whereby the behavior of one or more people belies their own claimed or implied possession of certain beliefs, standards or virtues. hypocrisy requires some sort of contradiction between the actions of the entity, and the belief that it espouses. The US urging countries to have free trade, while also having free trade policies isn't hypocritical, even if free trade is against the other countries' interests. On the other hand, the US urging countries to have free trade, while simultaneously implementing anti-free trade policies themselves (eg. tariffs) would be hypocritical. |