LIBERALISM

Introduction

Liberalism is a social school of thought in international relations theory that developed in the 1970s.
Also called “liberal internationalism,” liberalism is based on the belief that the current global system is
capable of engendering a peaceful world order. Rather than relying on direct force, such as military
action, liberalism places an emphasis on international cooperation as a means of furthering each
nation’s respective interests. Liberalism criticized realism’s inadequacy to explain international
cooperation and argues that the realist analyses are confined with the limits of narrow definitions of the
national interest. Liberalism posits that international organizations and nongovernmental organizations
are equally important factors in world politics while rejecting the realist theory that international
relations are a zero-sum game.

History and Development

Liberalism emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe as a response to the political and social
conditions of the time. During this period, absolute monarchies and the Catholic Church had significant
power and influence over political and social life in Europe. The idea of absolute monarchy, where the
monarch held all power and authority, was prevalent throughout Europe. Monarchs had the power to
make laws and decisions without the consent of the people, and there were no checks or balances on
their power. This system was seen as oppressive by many Enlightenment thinkers, who believed that
individuals had natural rights that should be protected by the state. In addition, the Catholic Church held
significant influence over political and social life in Europe. The Church was seen as an institution that
stifled intellectual freedom and promoted religious dogma over reason and individual thought. The
Church's power was particularly evident during the period of the Counter-Reformation, where it sought
to reassert its influence over European society.

Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Adam Smith were influenced by
these conditions and developed liberal ideas in response. They believed that individuals had natural
rights that should be protected by the state and that the state should be limited in its power. They also
emphasized reason and individualism over tradition and religious dogma.

Contemporary liberal internationalism has its roots in the ideas of liberal thinkers from the 18th and
19th centuries. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Adam Smith
developed liberal ideas based on the belief that individuals had natural rights that should be protected
by the state.

John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Adam Smith were three influential Enlightenment thinkers who
developed liberal ideas. They believed that individuals had natural rights that should be protected by the
state. These natural rights included the right to life, liberty, and property, as articulated by Locke in his
influential work "Two Treatises of Government." Locke believed that these natural rights were inherent
to all individuals, and that the role of the state was to protect these rights. He argued that individuals
had the right to overthrow a government that failed to protect these rights, which was a revolutionary
idea at the time.

Similarly, Rousseau believed that individuals had natural rights that were being infringed upon by
society and the state. He argued that the only way to protect these natural rights was through a social
contract between the state and the people. In his famous work "The Social Contract," Rousseau argued
that the state existed to serve the people and that its legitimacy depended on its ability to protect the
natural rights of individuals.

Adam Smith, on the other hand, was primarily concerned with economic liberalism and free markets. He
believed that individuals had the right to pursue their economic self-interest without interference from
the state. Smith argued that free markets would lead to increased economic prosperity for all, as
individuals would be able to innovate and create wealth.

Overall, these Enlightenment thinkers were influential in developing liberal ideas based on the belief
that individuals had natural rights that should be protected by the state. These ideas had a profound
impact on the development of modern political and economic systems and continue to be relevant
today. These thinkers believed that certain conditions were necessary to create a world without war.
They suggested that promoting democracy instead of aristocracy and supporting free trade instead of
self-sufficiency would help to prevent conflict. Liberalism promotes cooperation, mutual benefits, and
shared values among states. It is based on the belief that international relations should be governed by
rules and institutions that promote peace, stability, and economic prosperity.

Liberals believe that peace is how things should normally be, and that people should work together and
get along. They think that war is not natural or logical, and is something that people create rather than
something that is a natural part of being human. They believed that wars happen because some
governments want more power and money, and use their military to take over other territories. These
governments also use war as an excuse to control their citizens more and raise taxes. However, the
people on the other hand, were peace-loving by nature, and plunged into conflict only by the whims of
their unrepresentative rulers. According to liberal ideology, the problem of war can be effectively cured
by implementing democratic processes and free trade. The belief is that democracy and its associated
institutions would limit the authority of the ruling class and reduce their inclination towards aggression.
Additionally, free trade and commerce would eradicate the societal divisions and bring people together
as a unified community.

Liberalism in international relations is rooted in the principles of liberal democracy, which emphasize
individual freedom, equality, and the rule of law. It assumes that states are not the only actors in
international relations, and that non-state actors, such as international organizations, multinational
corporations, and civil society groups, also play important roles.

Liberalism in international relations emphasizes the importance of international institutions, such as the
United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and regional organizations like the European Union, in
promoting cooperation and resolving conflicts among states. It also values international law and norms,
such as human rights, environmental protection, and the prohibition against the use of force.

Liberalism in international relations recognizes that states have different interests and values, but it also
emphasizes the importance of finding common ground and promoting mutual benefits. It supports
diplomacy and dialogue as a means of resolving conflicts, and values international cooperation in
addressing global issues, such as climate change, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation.
Assumptions of Liberalism

1. The belief in the importance of individual freedom and rights: Liberalism emphasizes the
importance of individual freedom and rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and
association, as well as political and civil rights. It assumes that individuals should be free to
pursue their own interests and goals, as long as they do not harm others.
2. The belief in the power of international institutions: Liberalism assumes that international
institutions, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and regional
organizations like the European Union, can promote cooperation, resolve conflicts, and uphold
international law and norms.
3. The belief in the benefits of cooperation and mutual interdependence: Liberalism assumes that
states are not the only actors in international relations, and that non-state actors, such as
international organizations, multinational corporations, and civil society groups, also play
important roles. It emphasizes the benefits of cooperation and mutual interdependence among
states, and the importance of finding common ground and promoting mutual benefits.
4. The belief in the importance of diplomacy and dialogue: Liberalism assumes that diplomacy and
dialogue are important means of resolving conflicts, promoting cooperation, and addressing
global issues.
5. The belief in the value of democracy and human rights: Liberalism emphasizes the importance of
democracy and human rights, and assumes that these values promote peace, stability, and
prosperity in international relations.

Key differences between realism and liberalism:

View of the international system: Realists believe that the international system is inherently anarchic,
meaning that there is no central authority to enforce rules or resolve disputes between states. As a
result, states must rely on their own power and resources to ensure their survival and protect their
interests. In contrast, liberals believe that the international system can be transformed through
cooperation and the spread of liberal values such as democracy and human rights.

View of state behavior: Realists believe that states are primarily motivated by self-interest, including the
pursuit of power and security. They believe that states will often resort to the use of force to achieve
their goals, and that conflict is an inevitable feature of international politics. Liberals, on the other hand,
believe that states can be motivated by a variety of factors, including moral and ethical considerations,
and that cooperation and diplomacy can be effective means of resolving conflicts.

View of international institutions: Realists tend to be sceptical of international institutions, such as the
United Nations, and see them as being largely ineffective in promoting peace and stability. They believe
that states will only follow international laws and norms if it is in their self-interest to do so. Liberals, on
the other hand, tend to be more optimistic about the potential of international institutions to promote
cooperation and resolve conflicts.

View of military power: Realists view military power as a crucial tool for states to ensure their security
and protect their interests. They believe that a state's military strength is a key determinant of its ability
to influence the international system. In contrast, liberals tend to be more sceptical of the use of military
force and believe that diplomacy and negotiation should be the primary means of resolving conflicts.

The role of interdependence and cooperation in international relations

Liberalists believe that interdependence and cooperation are critical to promoting peace and stability in
international relations. They argue that states are not isolated actors, but rather interconnected through
trade, communication, and other forms of exchange. Thus, the well-being of one state is linked to the
well-being of others, and cooperation among states is necessary to address shared problems and
achieve common goals.
In the liberal view, interdependence can create incentives for cooperation, as states recognize the
mutual benefits of working together. For example, trade can promote economic growth and create jobs,
while cooperation on issues such as climate change or terrorism can enhance security and protect global
interests. In contrast, conflict and isolation can lead to negative outcomes, such as economic instability,
political tension, and even war.
Overall, liberalists see interdependence and cooperation as key components of a stable and prosperous
global system, and advocate for policies and institutions that promote these values. They argue that
international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the
International Monetary Fund can facilitate cooperation among states and promote common interests,
even in the face of political differences or conflict.
It is worthy of note that the postwar period was a time of significant growth and change for liberalism,
with the establishment of global institutions and the development of social welfare programs helping to
promote liberal values of human rights, social justice, and democracy.
Here are a few key developments that helped to shape liberalism in the post war period:
1. The establishment of the United Nations: The United Nations was established in 1945 as a global
organization committed to promoting peace, human rights, and international cooperation. The
UN helped to promote liberal values such as democracy and the rule of law and played a key
role in the decolonization process that occurred in many parts of the world.
2. The rise of the welfare state: In many countries, the post war period saw the development of
the welfare state, which provided social services such as healthcare, education, and housing to
citizens. The welfare state was based on liberal principles of social justice and equality and was
seen as a way to promote economic growth and stability.
3. The Civil Rights Movement: In the United States, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and
1960s was a major challenge to the racial inequality that had persisted in American society. The
movement was based on liberal values such as individual rights and equality before the law and
led to the passage of legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
4. The collapse of communism: The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet
Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s was a major victory for liberalism, as it signalled the
triumph of liberal democracy and free-market capitalism over authoritarian socialism.
5. The globalization of the economy: The post war period saw the globalization of the world
economy, with the growth of international trade, investment, and finance. This globalization
was driven by liberal economic principles such as free trade and the free movement of capital,
but also led to debates over the role of the state in regulating the economy and protecting
workers and the environment.
Criticisms of Liberalism
1. Unrealistic assumptions: One of the primary criticisms of liberal theory is that it relies on overly
optimistic assumptions about human nature and the ability of states to cooperate. Critics argue
that states are often driven by self-interest and may not always be willing to work together for
the common good.
2. Neglect of power dynamics: Liberal theory tends to downplay the role of power dynamics in
international relations. Critics argue that power disparities between states can make
cooperation difficult or impossible, and that liberal policies may reinforce existing power
imbalances.
3. Failure to address inequality: Liberal theory often assumes that economic interdependence will
lead to greater equality and prosperity for all states. However, critics argue that liberal policies
may actually reinforce inequality, as wealthy states are better positioned to take advantage of
economic opportunities.
4. Inability to address security concerns: Liberal theory tends to focus on economic and political
cooperation, but may be less effective in addressing security concerns such as terrorism, nuclear
proliferation, or regional conflicts.
5. Lack of attention to cultural and historical differences: Critics argue that liberal theory does not
adequately account for cultural and historical differences between states, and may impose
Western values and institutions on non-Western societies.