Liberalism and Idealism and Thoeires
Liberalism and Idealism and Thoeires
What is Liberalism?
Liberalism as its name denotes, is a theory that defies the traditional and conservative style
of observing International Relations. It is a theory that basically emphasizes upon the need
of liberal thought and openness while maintaining international relations.
What is Idealism?
Idealism is nothing different from liberalism. It is part of the Liberal Approach which
denotes a specific period of time in the world history following the First World War when
the Liberals made an abortive effort to give this world an ideal system regulating the
international relations. Idealism is also called 'Utopianism'.
Proponents of Liberalism & Idealism
Among the classic and modern proponents of Idealism and liberalism come the following
names;
Immanuel Kant
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
John Locke
These above mentioned names were of classic scholars. The modern scholars included;
Alferd Zimmer
Norman Angell
Woodrow Wilson
Fundamental Points of Liberal Approach in IR
The fundamental principles devised by the Liberal Approach in International Relations can
be studied in following points;
It is instinct of human being to cooperate for mutual welfare.
Evil is an exceptional case in the Human nature.
States in a similar context tend to cooperate in international affairs as they are governed by
rational men.
War cannot be eradicated however with mutual cooperation it can be reduced to the
minimum possible level.
There shall be promoted international harmony with the help of a global institute working to
maintain the world peace.
Origin of Liberalism
Liberalism was actually founded after the chaotic World War One. It was the wish of the
nation states to cooperate in order to eliminate war of this destructive level. Former
American President Woodrow Wilson gave his historic 14 points to bring peace into the post
- war world. He in the last of his points gave the idea of establishing an international
organization that was materialized in the form of the 'League of Nations'.
Criticism on Liberal & Ideal Approach
Liberalism and its more ambitious faction Idealism are criticized for utterly rejecting the
realist basis of international relations. They are criticized for forwarding the utopian and
impracticable schemes of regulating the relations between the states.
Failure of Liberalism?
Liberalism if not utterly failed then at least received a blow when the League met failure and
world plunged into World War Two. The utopian scheme could not prevent the nationalistic
tendencies of the League's former members from disrupting the world order.
Conclusion
Liberalism is among the classic theoretical approaches of the International Relations. The
theory carries massive support for its liberal and peaceful modes of regulating the
international relations. However, it is criticized for its failure to prevent the world from
another great war with its utopian schemes.
Realism
Realism is the approach of International Relations that works as anti - thesis to Liberalism.
Realism focuses on the more realistic, power oriented and state centric principles that play
important role in international relations. Realism lays emphasis upon gaining national power
to pursue national interests at all costs. Since World War II, realism has been considered the
most dominant school of thought, and it remains an ever-present in twenty-first century
politics.
Proponents of Realism Approach
Among the classic proponents of Realism also regarded as its founders, following names
fall;
Nicola Machiavelli
Thomas Hobbes
Clausewitz
Modern scholars that favor Realism as a better approach in International Relations are;
Hans Morgenthau
George F. Kenan
E. H. Carr
Origin of Realism as Approach of International Relations
Formal origin and incorporation of Realism as an approach in the International Relations
was seen at the end of the Second World War. Liberalism failed in all its utopian schemes to
bring peace to the world. States fought another Total War. Following that the approach of
Realism sought grounds. If seen in the distant past, Realism finds its origin in writings of
Machiavelli as well as Thomas Hobbes.
Fundamental Postulates of Realism
Following were the fundamental postulates drafted by various scholars under the umbrella of
Realism;
There exists international anarchy.
States are the principal actors in international relations.
States pursue national interests.
States tend to accumulate national power.
States strengthen the means of their survivals.
National power and national interests determine the relations between states.
States need to compete each other for seeking relative gains in the international realm.
War is an option in the international relations.
Realism and Six Principles of Hans Morgenthau
Hans Morgenthau's six principles of Realism are taken as eminent work in this field of
International Relations. His six principles give the ideas of;
National power
State centrism
National interests
Autonomy
Survival
Beyond morality approach of state
Criticism on Realism as Theoretical Approach of International Relations
Realism is criticized for its extreme emphasis on state centrism, power grabbing and national
interests at the costs of world peace. The theory is realistic but leads the world states into an
anarchic position where everyone is at war against the other. It does not eliminate war as an
option in the international relations.
Morgenthau’s 6 Principles of Realism
In his book “Politics among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace,” Hans J.
Morgenthau identified six principles of political realism:
Morgenthau says the realist “thinks in terms of interest defined as power, as the economist
thinks in terms of interest defined as wealth; the lawyer, of the conformity of action with
legal rules; the moralist, of the conformity of action with moral principles.”
Conclusion
International Relations seeks Realism as among the influential classical approaches. Realism
talks about the aboriginal and realistic basis of international relations. It is criticized for its
extreme version but the theory completely rejects the utopian postulates of idealism. Realism
does not take cooperation as an option because according to its proponents, world is anarchic
where intense competition is inevitable to maintain national power.
Neo-Realism
'Neo' means new or the latest. Neo-Realism is more refined and advanced strand of Realism.
Neo-Realism unlike the original Realism is more moderate form in International Relations.
Origin of Neo-Realism
Neo-Realism originated in latter part of 1970s. It was the reactionary product of Neo-
Liberalism which once again posed serious threat to the Realist idea of state centrism. It was
the work of Kenneth Waltz with the title of 'Theory of International Politics' which gave
birth to neo-realism.
Promoter of Neo-Realism
Among the modern exponents of neo-realism the name of Kenneth Waltz echoes. He is
regarded as founder of this theoretical approach in the International Relations. Waltz
sticking to the traditional ideas of Realism, infuses a new spirit in this approach by not
utterly rejecting the possibilities of cooperation among the states of the world.
Postulates of Neo-Realism
Claims of new-realism are the same as that of realism. They differ in a few points which are
explained as following;
There exists international anarchy which serves as basis of international relations rather than
the Human nature of violence.
World states follow the idea of self - help to empower themselves and act in international
relations.
There exists Security Dilemma in international relations. States accumulate power for their
security and survival which leads most of them into a race of armament and militarization.
Possibilities of cooperation between the states need not to be overlooked when they are
serving the interests of a state.
It is not the cooperation however but the 'Balance of Power' that actually prevent the states
from large scale war.
Criticism on Neo-Realism Theory of International Relations
Neo-Realism is criticized on the account of following points;
Still the theory is extreme and regards state as the sole actors of international relations.
It admits cooperation now but it has not yet rejected war as an option.
Focuses on national power and national interests of a state which actually undermine the
possibilities for cooperation.
The theory of Neo-Realism gives a mixed vision not a clear cut one. It is not inclined on a
single side.
Conclusion
Neo-Realism is actually the reaction to the action posed by Neo-Liberalism. The theory has
not given up the basic postulates of Realism but it is still moderate as compared to its
original version. Neo-Realism is brainchild of Kenneth Waltz who believed neither in
extreme liberalism not in extreme realism. As a consequence, he devised a middle way to
meet the ideals in international relations.
World System Theory
World System Theory, unlike the classic theories of Realism and Liberalism, is one
dimensional approach to study the situation of dependency of a part of the world upon the
other. The central point of the theory emphasizes on the point that the unhealthy economic
condition of the developing countries is due to continuous dependence on and unending
exploitation by the developed states of the world.
Origin of World System Theory
World System Theory is believed to have its root in the works of Lenin - the revolutionary
founder of the communist USSR. Lenin wrote 'Imperialism - The Highest Stage of
Capitalism'. In this book he blamed capitalistic developed states responsible for exploitation
and backwardness of the developing states.
Explanation of World System Theory
World system theory explains the imperialistic styles of the world hegemons. It simply
divides the world into two tiers. One of the 'Core' which is based on economically and
politically advance countries i.e. European nations, USA. The other is 'Periphery' which
consists of the developing countries of Asia, Africa and South America.
The theory propounds that the Periphery world is dependent upon the Core world. This
dependence can be interpreted in terms of economy, politics and technological advancement.
The reasons behind the dependence are not only backwardness and depravity of the
Periphery but also continuous exploitation of these states by the Core states. This
exploitation is carried out by various tools that can be laws, institutions or any other form.
Historical Dependence of the Periphery
The theory goes deep in the history of the world order. It states that it was Periphery that
provided the Core with cheap labor, natural resources and raw material. Most of the
Periphery states were colonized and exploited to bring advancement and development in the
Core states. This led to historical dependence of the Periphery states on the Core states.
The situation worsened when the Core states reached high levels of industrialization and
technology but they did not share this advancement with the periphery states.
Conclusion
The approach of World System is criticized for being not a theory in real sense. It is single
dimensional perspective that explains how developing states are dependent upon the
developed states. The theory did not carry enough weightage in the theoretical realm of
International Relations.
Feminist Theory
Feminism is a non-traditional and modern theory of International Relations. The theory
highlighted the aspects of international relations from the point of view of women of the
world. The theory propounds how this gender has been sidelined in deciding international
relations despite being its direct victim every time. Feminism is the broadest example of an
effort for women empowerment.