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Liberalism Central Assumptions and Propositions

Explore the assumptions and propositions of liberalism in world politics, emphasizing progressive change, international cooperation, and sources of global peace. Discover key actors, behaviors, and implications for policy prescriptions.

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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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