Prepared by

Umar Saeed
Roll no 2119

Liberalism

1. Based on optimistic nature of human beings and international systems:

Liberalism views human beings as capable of reason and rationality,
and as having the potential to cooperate and build peaceful and
prosperous societies. It also sees international systems as capable of
change and improvement.
2. Emphasis on ethical and moral principles of I.R: Liberalism emphasizes
the importance of ethical and moral principles in international
relations, such as justice, human rights, and the rule of law. These
principles should guide the behavior of states and other actors.
3. Struggle for mutual gains and consensus reciprocity: Liberalism
emphasizes the importance of mutual gains and cooperation, and sees
international relations as a positive- sum game where all actors can
benefit from working together. This requires a willingness to
compromise and seek consensus through diplomacy.
4. States as well as international institutions are key actors: Liberalism
recognizes the importance of both states and international institutions
in shaping international relations. States remain the primary actors,
but institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade
Organization can help facilitate cooperation and promote stability.
5. Democratic peace: Liberalism argues that democracies are more
peaceful and less likely to go to war with one another. This is due to
factors such as the transparency and accountability of democratic
systems, the peaceful transfer of power, and the presence of a free
press and civil society.
6. Diplomacy and cooperation as rational choices in global politics:
Liberalism sees diplomacy and cooperation as rational choices in global
politics, since they can help promote stability and mutual gains. This
 requires a willingness to engage in dialogue, build relationships, and
seek common ground.
7. Commerce and interdependence reduce conflicts: Liberalism sees
economic interdependence and trade as important factors in reducing
conflicts between states. This is because economic ties can create
mutual benefits and reduce the likelihood of conflict.
8. International institutions promote stability: Liberalism sees
international institutions as important mechanisms for promoting
stability and cooperation in international relations. These institutions
can help facilitate negotiations, provide a forum for dialogue, and
promote the rule of law.

Criticism

Critics argue that liberalism’s assumptions about human nature and

international systems are unrealistic and overly optimistic, and fail to
account for the reality of power politics, conflict, and competition. They
also argue that liberalism overlooks power dynamics and the role of
culture and identity in shaping international relations, and that its
emphasis on cooperation and democracy may not be applicable in all
contexts.