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Liberalism Central Assumptions and Propositions

Liberalism Central Assumptions and Propositions. View of history: progressive change possible Material : prosperity through technological progress, economic interdependence (free trade), globalization Moral/social justice : abolition of slave trade & apartheid, human rights, ICC, etc.

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Liberalism Central Assumptions and Propositions

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  1. LiberalismCentral Assumptions and Propositions • View of history: progressive change possible • Material: prosperity through technological progress, economic interdependence (free trade), globalization • Moral/social justice: abolition of slave trade & apartheid, human rights, ICC, etc. • Peace: End of the cold war / liberal democratic peace / obsolescence of great power war

  2. LiberalismCentral Assumptions and Propositions • View of history: progress • Key actors: International Society • State interests as product of domestic actor’s preferences (not balance of capabilities) & international norms • Transnational Networks including non-state transnational actors: • IOs (UN, WTO, ICC) • NGOs (Medecins Sans Frontiers, Greenpeace, Amnesty International) • = Global civil society? • Individuals / Moral Entrepreneurs

  3. LiberalismCentral Assumptions and Propositions • View of history - progressive change possible • Key actors - Pluralist / International Society: Transnational Networks • Behavior • Benign / Cooperative / Humanitarian • E.g.: How to explain foreign aid / Canada and WTO waiver of patent protections for AIDS drugs, human rights, WTO, etc? • Sources of cooperative behavior

  4. International Society • What were the last several times you obeyed the law? • Why did you do it? • Why comply in world politics? • Coercion (“forced to”): • Realism / critical theories • Self-interested gain (“voluntarily for benefits/costs”): • (Neo-) liberalism / rational choice • Legitimacy (“because it was right”) / socialization: • (liberal) constructivism

  5. LiberalismCentral Assumptions and Propositions • Sources of Cooperation: • I) (Enlightened) self-interest • Absolute gains from cooperation • Reciprocity • International trade as positive sum game (liberal economic / trade theory): all gain

  6. LiberalismCentral Assumptions and Propositions • Sources of Cooperation: • I) Enlightened (material) self-interest • Reciprocity • Learning • II) Communication, Information & Verification • Overcome problems of distrust and cheating (Prisoner’s Dilemma, Collective Action Problems) • International Institutions: Monitoring & verification for compliance • CWC / NPT & IAEA

  7. LiberalismCentral Assumptions and Propositions • Implications: • World Politics as interdependent global society with international institutions facilitating cooperation

  8. Liberalism: Policy Prescriptions • Institutions Matter: Multilateralism - IOs & International Law • vs. isolationism, balancing, unilateralism • Ideas Matter: • Stability requires justice: ICC • vs. amnesties for stability (realism) • “Enlargement”: Encourage democracies - Liberal Democratic peace theory • “There are no clear cut cases of sovereign stable democracies waging war with each other in the modern international system” Bruce Russett • Reassurance & Bargaining Incentives (vs deterrence) • Iran / North Korea

  9. LiberalismCriticisms • Too optimistic / Naïve (realism): • Reassurance / negotiation: subject to blackmail / cheating • Cooperation problems: Persistence of self-interest & conflict

  10. To what extent can we cooperate for our mutual advantage? • Collective goods: A benefit available to all that can be enjoyed even if you lower your own individual contribution, but if too many “free ride”, the good won’t be provided. • Example: Clean environment and air pollution • Collective action problems as explanation for failing to deal adequately with global climate change

  11. LiberalismCriticisms • Too optimistic / Naïve (realism): • Reassurance / negotiation: subject to blackmail / cheating • Cooperation problems: Persistence of self-interest & conflict • Moral crusades / Cultural imperialism • Injustice & Inequalities (critical theory)

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