Theory of IR- Classic Liberalism in International relations

lecture five

Classic Liberalism

Key themes: individualism, freedom, democracy, and capitalism

Key liberal thinkers

John Stuart Mill, Adam Smith, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu, Immanuel Kant, Robert Keohane, Joseph Nye, Michael Doyle

John Stuart Mill

Key ideas: Liberty and individual rights, utilitarianism, representative government

Adam Smith

Key ideas: Economic liberalism, free markets, the “invisible hand,” international trade and cooperation

Liberal view of human nature

• Positive view of human nature

• Individuals as rational actors

• Implication: cooperation over conflict

Political behaviour

• Importance of institutions

• Role of democracy and promoting peace

• Collective action for global issues

Woodraw Wilson

• Liberal internationalism post-WWII

• Advocasy for democracy and self-determination

• Introduction of the League of Nations

Wilson’s self-determination

• Rights of nations to determine their political status

• Importance of national sovereignty and independence

Wilson’s collective security

• League of Nations to promote peace

• Cooperation against aggression

Wilson’s democracy promotion

• Spreading democracy leads to peace

• Democratic governance for stability

Wilson’s open diplomacy

• Transparency in agreements

• Opposition to secret treaties

Wilson’s economic cooperation

• Free trade an d interdependence for peace

• Economic ties reduce war likelihood

Wilson’s fourteen points

• Framework for peace

• Disarmament, freedom of the seas, adjusting colonial claims

Wilson: Moral Diplomacy

• Ethics in foreign policy

• Support for democracies and global justice

Immanuel Kant

Perpetual peace and international freedom

Robert Keohane

Neoliberal institutionalism and interdependence

Joseph Nye

Soft power and non-state actors

Michael Doyle

Democratic peace theory

Collective action

Importance of multilateralism

Examples:

• UN

• NATO

Interdependence

Effects on foreign affairs: trade, communications, diplomacy

Real world implications: globalization

Advantages of classic liberalism

• Promotions of peace through cooperation

• Economic prosperity through free trade

• Value of individual rights and democracy

Disadvantages

• Critique of idealism and naivety

• Challenges in implementation

• Potential for inequality and exploitation

John Locke

Key Ideas: Natural rights (life, liberty, property), social contract theory, impact on governance

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Key Ideas: General will and popular sovereignty, critique of inequality, influence on democratic thought

Montesquieu

Key Ideas: Separation of powers, influence of culture and geography on governance, checks and balances.