Plan for Today:
Forms of Liberalism in IR
1. Introducing major shared principles
of liberalism – domestic and
international.
2. Summary introduction to liberal
schools in IR.
3. Delving into Kantian liberalism and
“English school”.
Liberalism
Common Themes in Liberal
Thought
Major Strands of Thought:
1. Market liberalism: Humans as utilitymaximizing, free, competitive beings
(utilitarianism and market capitalism).
2. Ethical liberalism: Emphasis on political
freedom, constitutionalism, individual
human rights, democracy. Sees humans as
striving to reach their potential.
Liberal Thought at the Domestic
Level
1. Social contract theory of state’s
relationship with citizens (ethical
liberalism).
 E.g. John Locke
2. Classical and neoclassical economic
liberalism (market liberalism).
 E.g. Adam Smith
Liberal Thought at the International
Level
General Principles:
1. History is progress: better ideas and
conduct win out over bad.
2. Durable institutions can be developed and
international actors will abide by them.
3. States have other objectives besides
security.
4. War is abnormal; cooperation is normal.
Strands of Liberalism in IR:
1. Kantian Liberalism
1. Humans progressive and will eventually
achieve perpetual peace and prosperity.
2. Liberal states have transcended violent
instincts.
Strands of Liberalism in IR:
2. “English School” (International
Society)
1. Hedley Bull (1970s-80s).
2. Very limited liberalism – some important
but limited norms of society have
developed in IR.
3. Also called “Liberal Realism”.
Strands of Liberalism in IR:
3. Liberal Interdependence Theory
1. Multiple kinds of actors included as
important in IR.
2. World full of interdependent linkages,
which can lead to cooperation.
3. Technological innovation leads to more
opportunities for cooperation.
4. World becoming better and more
cooperative over time.
Strands of Liberalism in IR:
4. Neoliberal Institutionalism
1. States rational actors in self-help
system; international system is
anarchic.
2. Cooperation can develop under anarchy
through mutual interest and repeated
interactions.
3. Normal state of world is some
cooperation; more peace than conflict.
An Older Form Of Liberalism:
Kant (18th C.)
1. Human society makes progress and improves
over time.
2. Eventually humans will create a “perpetual
peace” among nations.
Older Forms of Liberalism:
Kant (18th C.)
 States will eventually enter into a
“League of Peace.”
 Member states relinquish international
security to league as collective business,
but maintain own domestic laws.
 League of peace not just a treaty to end
single war, but pact to end wars forever.
Older Forms of Liberalism:
Kant (18th C.)
 Elements of both human will and
“nature’s will” in explaining how
perpetual peace would come about.
Older Forms of Liberalism:
Kant (18th C.)
 Elements of human will and selfinterest:
1. States must become “republican” since
tyrannical leaders much more likely to
go to war carelessly.
2. By engaging in commerce with one
another, in own interest to cooperate.
Older Forms of Liberalism:
Kant (18th C.)
 Elements of destiny and nature’s
will:
 “Nature inexorably wills that the right
should finally triumph. What we neglect
to do comes about by itself, though with
great inconveniences to us.”
 Perpetual peace will happen whether we
want it to or not.
Newer Forms of Liberalism:
1. “English School” (International Society).
2. Liberal Interdependence.
3. Neoliberal Institutionalism.
International Society/ “English
School”: Hedley Bull
 The Anarchical Society (1977)
 Argued that a society of sorts has
developed in international politics.
 Criticizes realist view that anarchy is
brutal:
 International state of nature not
Hobbesian state of nature.
 Perhaps Lockean state of nature instead.
International Society/ “English
School”: Hedley Bull
 Limited society develops in system of
states that are in constant contact
with one another.
 Examples:
1. “Hue and cry” raised by other states
when one state does something morally
abhorrent.
2. Loyalty among allies – carries on
beyond the security needs of states.