Liberalism and Foreign Policy

Liberalism and foreign policy

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Awais Zafar

U162N0062

Foreign policy analysis

University of Nicosia

Table of contents:-

Introduction

Liberalism

Types of liberalism

• Classical liberalism
• Economic liberalism
• Neo liberalism
• Modern liberalism

Liberals strands of thinking

• Sociological liberalism
• Interdependence liberalism
• Institutional liberalism
• Republican liberalism

Liberalism and the world order

Foreign policy

Foreign policy analysis

Level of analysis in foreign policy

Conclusion

References

 Introduction:-

          Liberalism is a theory of international relations which describes foreign policy in context of how to ^[1]individuals, ideas and ideals, human rights, liberty, democracy, capitalism, markets and political institutions plays their role in foreign relations. Liberalism opposes the basic assumption of realism regarding the structure system (unipolar, bipolar, multipolar) and state hegemonies. Liberalism by its characteristics is a domestic theory where Liberals shares a common zone of peace and framework with fellow liberals. Foreign policy with liberal ideology account for the patterns by focusing on domestic commercial interests, individual rights or combination of both together with Republican institutions and international perception for shaping policy.

          ^[2]Realism which is opposite of liberalism says that states exist under anarchy. Liberals agree with the realist’s view of anarchy but they disagree with the nature of anarchy. Liberals do not assume that international anarchy is a “state of war” according to Hobbes “the will to contend by battle is sufficiently known”. Realists assume cooperation is only possible with an alliance when the states lives under the fear of possibility of war and creates balance of power with the position of zero sum game instead the contest among liberal states can be positive or negative sum game within a separate zone of peace among fellow liberals. Fail to inform others may undermine coordination when liberals are seeking compatible goals but their internal security dilemma is generally solved by room of stable accommodation rather than balance of power that’s why liberals appreciates the existence of other liberal states constitutes no threat.    

          Liberalism differs realism but liberal theories as it self differs with each others somewhere. Like realism, liberals also assume domestic society, human nature and international structure. As per kenneth waltz’s observations liberals pay more attention to individual difference and domestic structures same as realist does, and a believe that the international system has a less than overriding influence and so distinguish themselves not only from structural realists but almost all realists. Liberals have faces another criticism from realists is weak international institutions which does not resolved international disputes peacefully and so imprudent aggression and complaisance some time occurs.

           The foreign policy towards both liberal and non liberal worlds should be guided by general liberal principles, if the concern for expanding and protecting the range of international freedom is to be liberal strategic aim. This means is to reject realists view of balance of power as a general strategy   and refuse to balance against liberal democracy and trusting on liberal community by ^[3]focusing on norms, regimes, economic interdependence and international organizations.      

          The members of liberal community should accepts a positive duty to defend other member states of the community and to protect in some special circumstances, the domestic sovereignty of the state in order to rescue human beings of the fellow state from intolerable oppressions such as genocide and ethnic cleansing. Liberal policies should call for attempt to secure civil and human rights in some circumstances and efforts to expand the effectiveness of the world market economy and meet those basic needs of humans that makes their rights possible.        

          Global crises ranging from climate change to the nuclear proliferation to economic growth could be solve by diplomacy that involves all states. ^[4]The role of global civil society and international political community is also important to increase the level of tourism, educational exchange and scientific meetings to spread peace beyond the borders. Liberal states for these purpose need to work beyond ideological divides and should make strong international institutions such as world trade organization, International monetary fund, world bank and United nations.        

Liberalism:-

          Liberalism is an ideology used in international relations with doctrine of commitment to the individual, desire to construct a society where people can satisfy their interests and achieve fulfillment. Liberals says that individual are naturally endowed with reason and as such, be allowed to enjoy the maximum freedom. ^[5]It treats protection and freedom of human being as a central theme of the state’s politics. Liberalism is emphasizes on merit and believes that individual are having equal political and legal rights and every one should be rewarded according to their skills and willingness to work. It revolves around the basic principles of constitutionalism and consent.

          Liberalism comes from early agricultural societies when people started living in settled areas or communities and were find new ways of trading and living with unknown people. Liberalism as an developed ideology was a step to breakdown of feudalism in Europe and the rise of aspiring middle class. The middle class supported to a capitalist society and a market economy. This change exposed people with a new age of choice and for the first time it created a sense on individualism among the people. Liberalism evolved into the radical demand for the change from the people to abolish traditional structure of power that differs with their interests.