Liberalism Flashcards
Liberalism
Liberalism in international relations is a political and economic ideology that emphasizes cooperation, diplomacy, and the promotion of shared values to foster peace and prosperity among states.
Liberalism key figures
Kant, Wilson, Keohane, Nye.
Liberalism key concepts
Democracy, free trade, international organizations, interdependence.
Developments
- 1919 – to change the world after WWI, topics: peace, international organization
- 1920 – the League of Nations, initial success of L
- Lates 1930s – loses the battle with R
- 1940-1980 – hesitations, partial successes in regional integration (Eur. Ec. Com.). It doesn’t fully challenge R. M emerges as a competitor
- Late 1980s – L proclaims a double victory: ideologically, over Conservatism and Communism; theoretically, over R and M
- Late 1990s – loses field in favor of the emerging SC
- After 9/11, then after the 2008 and 2015 crises: downfall, deadlocks
Liberalism Core Assumptions
Liberalism emphasizes cooperation, international institutions, and the role of non-state actors in shaping international relations. It is optimistic about the potential for collective security and international cooperation.
- The individual and his/her rights
The individual»_space;> the state, society, international interests
Human rights = a basic condition to weigh both national and
international systems
Groups and individuals = actors of RI, like the states
- Democracy and rule of law
The domestic – international analogy (≠ R)
The superiority of opening, expansion and liberalization over autarchy
- The trust in progress and emancipation
Entrenched in the Enlightenment
Rationality at the basis of progress
Development may be difficult, but, on long term, it is inevitable
Humanity –common interests; consensus is both necessary and possible
- Peace
The natural state of mankind
The absolute objective
R cultivates war
Dialogue and compromise → peace
Liberal Internationalism
Liberal internationalism is a political and foreign policy ideology that emphasizes the value of international cooperation, multilateral institutions, and the promotion of liberal democratic principles to foster peace, security, and prosperity in the world. This perspective is rooted in liberal political philosophy and has been a prominent strand of thought in international relations.
Neo-liberal Idealism
Neo-liberal idealism, often associated with cosmopolitanism, represents a perspective within neoliberal thought that emphasizes global cooperation, shared values, and the belief in the possibility of creating a more just and interconnected world. Cosmopolitanism, in this context, refers to the idea that individuals and nations are interconnected, and a sense of global citizenship should guide political, economic, and social interactions.
Limits of Neo-liberal Internationalism
Income Inequality, Social inequality and Poverty, Labor market challenges, Financial instability, Resource Exploitation, Market Failures, Reduced Government Capacity, Social Fragmentation, Globalizoation Challenges
Classical Liberal Institutionalism
Classical Liberal Institutionalism, also known as liberal institutionalism or institutional liberalism, is a strand of thought in international relations that shares some common principles with liberalism but places a greater emphasis on the role of international institutions in shaping state behavior.
Perspectives of Liberalism as IRT
- Nowadays, deep crisis:
- Neo-internationalism, invalidated by the proliferation of the alternatives to democracy
- Neo-idealism, attacked as being the “burrier” of the nation-states;still holding its positions…
- Neo-institutionalism, discarded by the blocking of the European construction, by some regional disintegrations, by the failure of TTIP, CETA etc.
Reorganization around two poles: - Confederative Neo-institutionalism
- Radical Cosmopolitanism