Liberalism Flashcards
Liberalism
Defining feature of modern democracy
Based on the
moral argument that ensuring the right of an individual person to life, liberty and property is the highest goal of government
Liberals emphasise
the wellbeing of the individual as the fundamental building block of a just political system
Main concern of liberalism
is to construct institutions that protect individual freedom by limiting and checking political power
often limit
military power by such means as ensuring civilian control over the military
Democratic Peace Theory
Democratic states are highly unlikely to go to war with one another
Strongest contribution liberalism makes to IR theory
1) democratic states are characterised by internal restraints on power
2) democracies tend to see each other as legitimate and unthreatening, therefore have a higher capacity for cooperation with each other than they do with non-democracies.
Economic Interdependence
By fostering extensive trade and financial ties, states create a framework of mutual benefit where war becomes a costly distribution.
Institutions and Norms
International bodies like UN and regional organizations like EU embody ideal of a rulers-based order
Challenges
- Optimistic outlook underestimates persistence of power politics and national interests
- Realists highlight that the liberal order often relies on the power of dominant states to enforce rules
Liberalism is…
Defining future of democracy
Offering…
An alternative to the power driven worldview of realism
Emphasizing…
The potential for cooperation among states through shared values, institutions and economic interdependence
Liberalism is built on…
The moral argument that protection of individual rights is the ultimate goal of government
Key lies in…
Constructing institutions that both restrain and direct state power toward peaceful cooperation
One of the most compelling contributions…
Is “Democratic Peace Theory”, which posits that democracies rarely go to war with each other
Democracies don’t fight each other because…
Of internal restraints on peace and perception that other democracies are legitimate and cooperative
Economic interdependence…
Is another cornerstone of liberalism. By fostering extensive and financial ties, states create a network of mutual benefit where war becomes costly disruption
Organizations like…
WTO and IMF show how liberalism leverages economic institutions to promote peace
Institutions and norms..
Play a vital role in liberal framework. UN and EU embody an idea of rule-based order
Norms of cooperation, democracy and human rights…
Further constrain the actions of states, creating an environment where aggression is costly and unacceptable
Criticism -
Liberalism’s optimistic outlook underestimates the persistence of power politics and national interests
Criticism - liberal order…
Often relies on the power of dominant states to enforce rules
Democratic peace theory also faces criticism…
For its applicability with an example of democratic states engaging in war with an authoritarian regime, as seen in 2003 US invasion of Iraq
Liberalism provides tools…
To address contemporary challenges by emphasizing cooperation over competition
Liberalism inspires…
A vision of world where shared interest and mutual respect guide behavior
Collaboration is key…
To move to a peaceful future
