Liberalism Flashcards
What is liberalism?
The idea that power politics is the product of ideas and can change
What are key values of liberalism?
Individualism, tolerance, freedom, constitutionalism, equality, market driven economics and conservation
What features drive liberalism?
Rights, rule of law and capitalism
What is an example that shows a flaw in the liberal foundation of rights?
The official position of states on human rights is often different to the reality. For example China and the 709 crackdown, where human rights lawyers in China protested against its violation of them.
What is an example showing a flaw in the liberal foundation of rule of law?
The US/ Russian election investigation. Trump attacks the special counsel and attorney general, challenging the rule of law.
What is an example showing the problem with liberal reliance on capitalism?
Brunko Milanovic- elephant chart, which shows that increasing income is not in liberal capitalist states but in those with a mix of economic and political systems.
What does Richard Cobden believe to be the cause of conflict?
Government intervention, as it disturbs the natural order of liberty and free trade
What does Woodrow Wilson believe to be the cause of conflict?
The undemocratic nature of international politics
What does J A Hobson believe to be the cause of conflict?
The Balance of Power system
How does Bentham think we can solve conflict?
Law
What is Doyle’s challenge to the idea of liberal peace?
Liberal states are aggressive towards authoritarian regimes
What are some criticisms of liberalism in practice in comparison to liberalism in theory?
- US hegemony threatens liberal principles of sovereign equality
- it has become imperialistic- eg: NATO led war against gadafi regime criticised by Russia and China to be to change regime, rather than protecting citizens
- human rights are being weakened by interests of powerful states
- democracies often fail to address all public opinion in practice- result is resurgent nationalist, populist and xenophobic movements
- interdependence is challenged by need for leadership in issues like climate change, terrorism and weapons proliferation
- capitalism promotes individualism, not national interests
What is Immanuel Wallerstein’s criticism of liberalism?
‘Liberals view universalism as a gift of a powerful to the weak. To refuse the gift is to lose; to accept the gift is to lose.’
What is E H Carr’s criticism of liberalism?
It’s ideas are utopian, not real
