Liberalism

Introduction
• Liberalism is a major/mainstream theory in the field of International
Relations.
• Liberalism a paradigm predicted on the hope that the application of
reason and universal ethics to IR can lead to a more orderly, just, and
cooperative world , and that international anarchy and war can be
policed by institutional reforms that empower international
organization and law.
Primary Assumptions
Following are the primary assumptions of the Liberal school;
1. Human nature is good and unselfish; thus, making people capable of compassion
and collaboration through reason and ethically inspired education.
2. The fundamental human concern for others make progress possible.
3. Evil institutions encourage people to act selfishly and harm others. There is no
doubt that people are flawed but these institutions bring out the devil in them.
4. War and international anarchy is not inevitable. The frequency of wars can be
reduced by strengthening international institutions.
5. Illiberal regimes of states are prone to international aggression, democratic
states are natural allies for peace with one another (Democratic Peace Theory).
6. War is a global phenomenon thus requires a collective/multilateral effort to
control it.
Primary Assumptions
7. Reforms regarding the welfare and security for people must be made in the
prevailing system, but such reforms will only take place when morality is
included in statecraft.
8. International society must reconcile so that institutes that make war likely are
eliminated.
9. Economic interdependence will help in minimizing wars.
10. Liberalism focuses upon individuals rather than states.
11. Liberalism promotes democracy while rejecting power politics.
Neo-Liberalism
Neo-Liberalism is a theoretical perspective that accounts for the way international
institutions promote global change, cooperation, peace, and prosperity through
collective programs for reforms.

Primary assumptions
1. Nature and Consequence of Anarchy
Neo-Liberals see anarchy as a big problem that can be reformed through the
creation of strong global institution
2. International cooperation
Neo-Liberals believe cooperation can be expected because collaboration
produces rewards that reduce the temptation to selfishly compete.
Neo-Liberalism
3. Absolute Gains
Neo-Liberals believe that states are motivated by the search for opportunities to
cooperate that will produce absolute gains for all parties to cooperative exchange.
4. Priority of states goals
Neo-Liberal believe states place a greater priority on economic welfare as compare
with security.
5. Intentions versus capabilities
Neo-Liberals maintain that states` intensions, interests, information, and ideals are
more influential than is the distribution of capabilities.
6. Institutions and regimes
Neo-liberals believe that institutions such as the WTO create norms that are
binding on their members and that change patterns of international politics.