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Plan for Today: Forms of Liberalism in IR

Plan for Today: Forms of Liberalism in IR. Introducing major shared principles of liberalism – domestic and international. Summary introduction to liberal schools in IR. Delving into Kantian liberalism and “English school”. Liberalism. Common Themes in Liberal Thought.

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Plan for Today: Forms of Liberalism in IR

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  1. Plan for Today:Forms of Liberalism in IR • Introducing major shared principles of liberalism – domestic and international. • Summary introduction to liberal schools in IR. • Delving into Kantian liberalism and “English school”.

  2. Liberalism

  3. Common Themes in Liberal Thought Major Strands of Thought: • Market liberalism: Humans as utility-maximizing, free, competitive beings (utilitarianism and market capitalism). • Ethical liberalism: Emphasis on political freedom, constitutionalism, individual human rights, democracy. Sees humans as striving to reach their potential.

  4. Liberal Thought at the Domestic Level • Social contract theory of state’s relationship with citizens (ethical liberalism). • E.g. John Locke • Classical and neoclassical economic liberalism (market liberalism). • E.g. Adam Smith

  5. Liberal Thought at the International Level General Principles: • History is progress: better ideas and conduct win out over bad. • Durable institutions can be developed and international actors will abide by them. • States have other objectives besides security. • War is abnormal; cooperation is normal.

  6. Strands of Liberalism in IR: • Kantian Liberalism • Humans progressive and will eventually achieve perpetual peace and prosperity. • Liberal states have transcended violent instincts.

  7. Strands of Liberalism in IR: • “English School” (International Society) • Hedley Bull (1970s-80s). • Very limited liberalism – some important but limited norms of society have developed in IR. • Also called “Liberal Realism”.

  8. Strands of Liberalism in IR: • Liberal Interdependence Theory • Multiple kinds of actors included as important in IR. • World full of interdependent linkages, which can lead to cooperation. • Technological innovation leads to more opportunities for cooperation. • World becoming better and more cooperative over time.

  9. Strands of Liberalism in IR: • Neoliberal Institutionalism • States rational actors in self-help system; international system is anarchic. • Cooperation can develop under anarchy through mutual interest and repeated interactions. • Normal state of world is some cooperation; more peace than conflict.

  10. Human society makes progress and improves over time. Eventually humans will create a “perpetual peace” among nations. An Older Form Of Liberalism:Kant (18th C.)

  11. Older Forms of Liberalism:Kant (18th C.) • States will eventually enter into a “League of Peace.” • Member states relinquish international security to league as collective business, but maintain own domestic laws. • League of peace not just a treaty to end single war, but pact to end wars forever.

  12. Older Forms of Liberalism:Kant (18th C.) • Elements of both human willand “nature’s will”in explaining how perpetual peace would come about.

  13. Older Forms of Liberalism:Kant (18th C.) • Elements of human willand self-interest: • States must become “republican” since tyrannical leaders much more likely to go to war carelessly. • By engaging in commerce with one another, in own interest to cooperate.

  14. Older Forms of Liberalism:Kant (18th C.) • Elements of destiny and nature’s will: • “Nature inexorably wills that the right should finally triumph. What we neglect to do comes about by itself, though with great inconveniences to us.” • Perpetual peace will happen whether we want it to or not.

  15. “English School” (International Society). Liberal Interdependence. Neoliberal Institutionalism. Newer Forms of Liberalism:

  16. International Society/ “English School”: Hedley Bull • The Anarchical Society (1977) • Argued that a society of sorts has developed in international politics. • Criticizes realist view that anarchy is brutal: • International state of nature not Hobbesian state of nature. • Perhaps Lockean state of nature instead.

  17. International Society/ “English School”: Hedley Bull • Limited society develops in system of states that are in constant contact with one another. • Examples: • “Hue and cry” raised by other states when one state does something morally abhorrent. • Loyalty among allies – carries on beyond the security needs of states.

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