What is the meaning of idealism in the context of international relations? What is the meaning of liberalism in the context of international relations? What do idealism and liberalism argue? Let’s find out more.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this topic, you are expected to;
Idealism in foreign policy states that a state should make its internal political philosophy the goal of its foreign policy. For example, an idealist may believe that ending poverty at home should be coupled with tackling poverty abroad. An example of an early advocate of idealism is U.S President Woodrow Wilson. Michael W. Doyle defines idealism as based on the belief that other nations’ stated good intentions can be relied on. Realism, on the other hand, holds that good intentions are in the long run subject to the security dilemma described by John H. Herz.
Idealism is centered on the notion stating that states are rational actors that are capable of ensuring lasting peace as well as security rather than resorting to war. It is also marked by the prominent role that is played by international organizations and international law in its conception of the formation of policy. One of the most well-known tenets of modern idealist thinking is democratic peace theory, that holds that states that have similar modes of democratic governance do not fight one another.
Idealism is said to transcend the left-right political spectrum. Idealists may include both human rights campaigners and American neo-conservatism which is normally associated with the right. Idealism can find itself in opposition to realism, an international view which argues that the national interests of a nation are more important than moral or ethical considerations. However, there need be no conflict between the two. According to the revisionist narrative, there was never a single great debate between realism and idealism.
Liberalism refers to a moral and political philosophy that is based on equality before the law, consent of the governed and on liberty. Liberals give a wide array of views on the basis of their understanding of these principles, but they generally support individual rights, limited government, democracy, capitalism, racial equality, gender equality, freedom of speech, freedom of press, internationalism, and freedom of religion.
Liberalism became a unique movement in the age of enlightenment when it became popular among western philosophers and economists. Liberalism attempted to replace the norms of absolute monarchy, traditional conservatism, the divine right of kings, hereditary privilege and state religion with representative democracy and the rule of law. Liberals also led to the end of royal monopolies, mercantilist policies and other barriers to trade and instead promoted free markets.
Over time, the meaning of the term liberalism started to diverge in different parts of the world. Encyclopedia Britannica in the United States defines liberalism as being associated with the welfare state policies.
