Liberalism in International Relations
1. Introduction
Liberalism is one of the most influential theories in International Relations, offering a stark
contrast to the pessimistic outlook of Realism. While realism emphasizes power, conflict, and
anarchy, liberalism highlights cooperation, peace, democracy, and institutions. Liberalism
assumes that human beings are rational, capable of progress, and inclined towards cooperation
when given the right conditions. In international politics, this translates into the belief that states,
institutions, and individuals can work together to reduce conflict and promote mutual gains. It
has provided the theoretical foundation for international organizations, economic
interdependence, and democratic peace.
2. Historical Origins of Liberalism
● Philosophical Roots: Liberalism draws inspiration from Enlightenment thinkers like
John Locke, who emphasized individual rights, limited government, and rationality; and
Immanuel Kant, who envisioned a perpetual peace based on democracy, free trade,
and international law.
● 19th Century Liberalism: Advocated free trade, limited war, and international arbitration
of disputes.
● Post–World War I: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson advanced liberal ideals in his
Fourteen Points, calling for self-determination, democracy, collective security, and the
League of Nations.
● Post–World War II: Liberalism resurged with the creation of the United Nations, Bretton
Woods institutions (IMF, World Bank), and GATT (later WTO).
● Contemporary Era: Globalization and interdependence have reinforced liberal ideals,
though challenged by nationalism and authoritarianism.
3. Core Assumptions of Liberalism
1. Human Nature: Humans are rational, cooperative, and capable of progress.
2. Possibility of Peace: War is not inevitable; peace can be achieved through institutions,
democracy, and interdependence.
3. Plurality of Actors: Unlike realism, liberalism acknowledges the role of states,
international organizations, multinational corporations, NGOs, and individuals.
4. Importance of International Institutions: Rules and organizations reduce anarchy,
facilitate cooperation, and enforce norms.
5. Economic Interdependence: Trade and economic cooperation create mutual benefits,
reducing the likelihood of conflict.
6. Democratic Peace Theory: Democracies are less likely to go to war with each other, as
shared values and institutions promote peaceful resolution.
4. Types of Liberalism in IR
● Classical Liberalism: Rooted in Locke and Kant, emphasizing individual rights,
progress, and moral order.
● Liberal Institutionalism: (Robert Keohane, Joseph Nye) Argues that international
organizations and regimes mitigate anarchy and encourage cooperation.
● Neoliberalism / Neoliberal Institutionalism: Focuses on how institutions create
incentives for states to cooperate even in an anarchic system.
● Commercial Liberalism: Argues that free trade and economic interdependence
promote peace by creating shared interests.
● Democratic Liberalism: (Michael Doyle) Suggests that democratic states are inherently
more peaceful and avoid wars with each other.
5. Key Concepts in Liberalism
● Collective Security: States agree that aggression against one will be treated as
aggression against all (e.g., UN, NATO).
● Democratic Peace Theory: Democracies rarely fight wars with one another due to
institutional checks and shared norms.
● Complex Interdependence: (Keohane & Nye) States are connected through multiple
channels—economic, political, cultural—making conflict costly.
● International Law: Legal frameworks regulate state behavior and promote cooperation.
● Functionalism & Regionalism: Integration in specific sectors (e.g., economy,
environment) creates spillover effects that deepen cooperation (e.g., EU).
6. Liberalism and International Politics
Liberalism has been central to shaping modern international institutions and cooperative
practices.
● League of Nations (1919): The first experiment in collective security (though failed).
● United Nations (1945): Embodied liberal principles of peace, cooperation, and
international law.
● European Union (EU): A regional example of liberal institutionalism through integration.
● Globalization: Promoted through liberal economic policies of free trade and open
markets.
● Post-Cold War: Liberalism was reinforced with the spread of democracy, global
institutions, and human rights discourse.
7. Criticisms of Liberalism
1. Overly Optimistic: Critics argue that liberalism underestimates the persistence of
conflict and power politics.
2. State-Centric Bias Remains: Despite recognizing non-state actors, states still dominate
in practice.
3. Failures of Liberal Institutions: The League of Nations collapsed, and even the UN
often fails to prevent wars (e.g., Iraq 2003, Syria).
4. Selective Application of Liberal Values: Powerful states promote democracy and
human rights selectively to serve national interests.
5. Economic Inequality: Global capitalism and free trade often benefit rich states more
than poor ones.
6. Rise of Nationalism & Authoritarianism: Liberalism struggles to explain why
authoritarian regimes continue to challenge liberal values.
8. Contemporary Relevance of Liberalism
● United Nations & International Law: Continue to reflect liberal principles of
cooperation.
● European Union: A practical example of regional integration and interdependence.
● Global Trade & WTO: Demonstrates the liberal belief in mutual economic gains.
● Democratic Peace: Still visible, as conflicts between democracies remain rare.
● Global Issues: Liberalism explains why cooperation is necessary for climate change,
pandemics, and terrorism.
● Challenges: Populism, authoritarianism, and great power competition (e.g., U.S.–China
rivalry) test liberal principles.
9. Conclusion
Liberalism remains one of the most important theoretical frameworks in International Relations,
offering an optimistic vision of peace and cooperation. By emphasizing democracy, free trade,
and international institutions, it has shaped much of the post–World War II global order.
Although it faces challenges from realism’s emphasis on power politics and from contemporary
crises like authoritarian resurgence and geopolitical rivalries, liberalism continues to provide
valuable insights into global governance, human rights, and international cooperation. In a world
increasingly interconnected through technology, trade, and shared challenges, liberalism
remains a vital framework for both scholars and policymakers.
