The Notion of Liberal Internationalism - Case Study Example

Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : xxxxxxxxxxx Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx @2011 Introduction Liberal internationalism is one significant international relations ideology that emphasizes the need for security within the international context. The theory was propagated by Emmanuel Kant in1795 in his publication perpetual peace. According to Kant, Liberal internationalism is the possibility and necessity of sovereign states to relate in a manner that is more just, peaceful and compatible with the rights and freedoms of all people in society. As an international dimension of liberalism and idealism, liberal internationalism is grounded on the belief that the elimination of aggression and war among states is essential in facilitating the spread of democratic states across the globe. Kant therefore argues that there is need for reforms in international relations among sovereign states in order ensure that peace and security is attained and maintained (Hurrell, 1990, 183-184). The ideology therefore proposed various ways in which security can best achieved within the international context. This paper seeks to evaluate Liberal internationalism views on how security can best be attained. The scope of the analysis will also be grounded on evaluating the background of Liberal internationalism and providing and insight into the aspect of international security. Background of Liberal Internationalism Liberal internationalism within the context of international relations can be traced back to United States 28th president Woodrow Wilson. Wilson was a great reformist who believed that liberalism in international relations is the way to go. In his perspective he believed that nations should coexist as peace loving nations where justice and fairness is guaranteed. Wilson therefore proposed a world peace program that consisted of fourteen fundamental points. Some of the areas highlighted by Wilson include the need for transparency in the process and purpose for peace. Another proposal was that a general national association must be developed under an agreed upon covenant in order to enhance integrity in both small and great nations. Wilson passionately held the belief that it is only through international law that humanity can be rescued from insecurity, war and violence (Wilson's Fourteen Points, 1918). The development of the League of Nations after the First World War is another first permanent initiative that was developed to enhance peace in the international community. The objective of this particular international organization was war prevention through adopting a system of international dispute settlement, disarmament and collective security. In 1924, the League of Nations developed amendments that would be used in advancing international cooperation, international security and peace. Some of the areas of amendment include security and peace, the recognition of obligations of not resorting to war, honorable and just relations between nations, respect for treaties and the understanding of the rule of conduct and international law among governments (Goldman 2008). Liberal Internationalism Views on how Security can best be Achieved According to the liberal internationalism perspective, security be best achieved using various ways and mechanisms. One of the feasible ways that security can best be achieved is through formally establishing peace in all states through establishing one international state. Kant argues that neither the aspect of balance of power nor the existing international laws can provide adequate solution to the problem of war and security (Hurrell, 1990, p189). This is because when men are in a state of nature they tend to abandon order and may resort to war. In addition the state of nature within the international context allows states to make war or enter into hostile activities as long as the state protects its rights. As a result in despite of the existence of mechanisms such as balance of power and international laws as rational ways in which states can coexist, attaining security can rather be difficult, unless men renounce their lawless freedom and savage and are governed by one international state (Hurrell, 1990, p189). Steans et al (2010, p56) also back Kant’s notion of developing one international state. Steans et al (2010, p56) argue that many divisions do not usually occur within the one state essentially when it has well a established or grounded foreign policy . On the other hand, Liberal internationalists like former U.S president Wilson proposed the adoption of collective security as a mechanism of enhancing security within the global context. According to Wilson, instead of developing one international state as proposed in the earlier years by Kant, collective security would be a much more suitable approach. The collective security approach recommends that in order to attain global security and peace, the member states of the League of Nations should not only accept the responsibility of not resorting to war but also they should acknowledge and develop the understanding of international regulations as the authentic rule of conduct that is supposed to govern governments (Wilson's Fourteen Points, 1918). Burchill, (2009,p 65) further highlights that the objective of liberalism within the international context is to support liberal views in international relations by supporting the formation of international institutions that work towards enhancing global security . This would be undertaken by developing an international body that has mechanism for dispute settlement and rules whose objective was to attain collective security (Wilson's Fourteen Points, 1918). The integration of the collective security approach in Article 10 of the League of Nations was therefore a positive step as a mechanism of preventing interstate conflict which is a thereat to security. . Liberal internationalists also proposed the elimination of the concept of Balance of power in order to enhance international security. Hobson who is an idealist who supported liberal internationalism argues that the problem of balance of power was one of the major causes of World War 1. Great powers were in conflict due to issues such as secrete treaties, competitive foreign policies and covert diplomacy (Long, 1991, 292). According to Hobson balance of power is actually a diplomatic falsehood. Hobson’s rejection of balance of power is because it failed to provide justice and security but instead it served the needs of the strong groups or parties. According to Hobson balance of power was actually not a form of equilibrium but rather it represented inequality in distribution of resources and income which further thereat interstate relations. Hobson suggested that the concept balance of power should be eliminated and instead reforms were to rationalize and centralize authority. Balance of power was therefore to be replaced by the development of an international government with a policy of common good and collective security. Jackson and Sorensen (2010) highlight that one of the major approaches of liberal internationalism is placing international interests above any other aspects that drive the decisions made by states. As a result the issue of balance of power is perceived as a state and military issue as opposed to an issue that concerns the international community. Hobson did not see the necessity of balance of power he believed that the elimination of balance of power was only way to enhance lasting global peace. Although liberal internationalists such as Hobson propagated the elimination of balance of power, in the recent years certain elements of balance of power have been witnessed in the operations of bodies concerned with international security. Armstrong et al (2004:p 40) reveals that U.N in its efforts to be different from the League of Nations, the U.N acknowledged the function of great powers such as the U.S, U.K, France , China and the Soviet Union by giving these countries Veto power in the security council. Armstrong et al (2004: 40) highlight that granting these countries veto power, was actually a reflection of the return of balance of power within the framework of international order. Although Hobson suggested the elimination of balance of power in order to enhance security, he also held the view that if balance of power was to exist, then it would be grounded on the principle that countries should neither engage in war nor anarchy. The development of open covenants is another essential way in which security can best be attained (Long, 1991, 292). As proposed by President Wilson, it is essential for states to be open with each other when establishing treaties and covenants in order to avoid wrangles which may result to war and lead to insecurity . Wilson anticipated that arriving at convents openly involves having no private international agreement and also when establishing convents they should be arrived at on the public view and frankly (Wilson's Fourteen Points, 1918). Hobson’s also backed Wilsons view point of developing transparency when developing international covenants. According to Hobson, people can not be trusted with issues relating to foreign policy and diplomacy. This is particularly because too often people are ignorant of international issues and are quarrelsome or warlike. As a result the ignorant and quarrelsome nature of people may lead to them being kept in the dark when it comes to international affairs. Openness and publicity would at least act towards mitigating war among states. Long, (1991, p292) therefore asserts that by formulating, evaluating and executing foreign policy openly, international security can be attained Moral improvement is another way in which Liberal internationalism proposes as a means of attaining of international security. Kant argued that the attitudes that exist among states that threaten security such as the use of force and war can actually change (Hurrell, 1990, p198). The first kind of moral improvement that Kant proposes is that of moral practical reasoning whereby states work towards finding ways of abolishing war which is a significant threat to security. This entails shaping the normative international relations climate by changing the attitudes of people towards war. Kant highlights that the normal practical reasoning should be grounded on an irresistible veto or rejection of war by states by developing missions such as There shall be no war …..(Hurrell, 1990, p196). Kant therefore argues that there will no longer be a question of whether peace can be attained but rather, states are compelled to act in a manner to enhance international peace and security. The second moral improvement that Kant proposes as a strategy for enhancing international security is enhancing the capability to learn from experience and to act on the realization of the experience attained. Kant argues that unless the anarchy or disorder in the international framework is resolved and reformed, the mounting destructive conflict witnessed in the world will never end. As a result the ability to learn from experience is a fundamental aspect in the moral perspective. Kant’s entire moral principle of learning from experience is based on the basic assumption that human beings are able to discover and act upon moral imperatives that are universally valid (Hurrell, 1990, p197).The end result is that every state eliminates evil qualities, develops and maintains a society that is more peaceful and is governed by the rule of law . The third moral improvement that Kant proposes as a strategy for enhancing international security entails adopting a continuing process by which people become increasingly capable of perceiving themselves as component of the global community or what is referred to as ‘’ Universal cosmopolitan existence ‘’ . The cosmopolitan society would possess no political embodiment, as it is evident in the growth or commerce and trade. Although various definitions of the international society have been provided such as Brown and Ainley (2010, p48) who describe the international community as a relationship that is norm governed where members acknowledge the fact that they have minimal responsibility towards each other and the entire society . Kant however acknowledged the fact that in the global community, obligation towards the nation state would not be done away with and the range of moral obligation will be is extended to the international environment. Consequently as culture continues to advance people gradually come close and closer to each other. This therefore results to understanding and peace. Kant also highlights that when people come closer to interact through economic interdependence and peaceful commercial activities, war becomes as less likely occurrence (Hurrell, 1990, p198). This is because as Armstrong et. al highlight , (2004: 2-3) every state has a common interest that is derived from the communal interaction for instance trading interaction. As a result the cost of engaging in war becomes rather counterproductive. Conclusion From the above presentation what is evident is that Liberal internationalism is one significant international relations ideology that emphasizes the need for security within the international context. Several ways have been propagated by Liberal internationalists as strategies of enhancing global security. The highlighted areas include; moral improvement, development of open covenants, elimination of the concept of Balance of power and the development of one single international state. It is however essential to note that international security begins with the state as a result every state should be fully committed in the quest for achieving security at it its best. References Armstrong, D., Lloyd, L. and Redmond, J, 2004, International Organisation in World Politics. The Making of the Twentieth Century, 3rd edn, Basingstoke: Palgrave Mac- millan. Brown, C. & Ainley , C. (2009). Understanding International Relations (4th edition). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Chapter 2. Burchill, S, 2009, Liberalism’ in S. Burchill, et. al., (eds.) Theories of International Relations, 4th edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 57-85. Goldman ,L, 2008 The Covenant of the League of Nations , (Including Amendments adopted to December, 1924. Retrived Hurrell, A, 1990, Kant & the Kantian Paradigm in…. Review of International Studies, 16(3), pp., 183-205. Jackson, R. & Sorensen, G , 2010, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches, 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Long, D, 1991, J. A. Hobson & Idealism in Int. Relations. Review of International Studies, 17, pp., 285-234 Steans, J. Pettiford, L. Diez, Tand El-Anis, I, 2010, Introduction to International Relations. Perspectives and Themes, 3rd edition. Harlow: Pearson Longman. p, 55-57. Read More