LiberalismLiberalism

Michael Doyle

Lecture 3Kaisa Ellandi

Key points in liberalismKey points in liberalismHuman kind is rational:

◦In institutional terms- ability to pursue ones interest

◦Ability to understand moral principles and live according to the law

Most important thing is liberty, human rights

Key points in liberalismKey points in liberalismThere can be conflict, but

harmony is also possible. Positive change is possible

Cooperation is in human relations as well as international relations

No central power Governments are necessary Immanuel Kant – early liberal

philosopher

Peace and SecurityPeace and SecurityHuman kind understands legal

norms, moral principles. Liberalist are not pacifists - states

have to defend themselves against hostile aggression

League of Nations – to secure peace and security. An liberalist thought.◦Collective security

United Nations

Peace and SecurityPeace and SecurityPeace theory

◦people have no interest in war. ◦tyranny must be put to an end◦liberal democracy

Michael Doyle – democratic peace theory◦The more states are democratic, the

more they are peaceful◦Zone of peace

Peace and SecurityPeace and SecurityHarmony of Interest – between

states and people for mutual interests and mutual benefits

State and PowerState and PowerState is

◦sovereign, ◦autonomous◦has it’s territory◦people ◦government

State is a „necessary evil“ for citizens to go about one’s everyday business

Pluralism – distribution of political power through several institutions, none of which are sovereign

State and powerState and powerStates do not reflect the interests

of one/elite group. State is autonomous bodyState is fair and impartial, neutral

arbiterDistinction between state and

civil societyCivil Society and the state

interact

State and powerState and powerState is not the only actorState can give some elements to

other bodiesNGO-s, multinational

corporations, GONGO-sPower is distributed.People can collectively influence Power is to act collectively for

„common good“

Institutions and world Institutions and world orderorderInstitutions are linked with each

otherGovernments are linked with

each otherSocieties are linked with each

otherStated cooperate more

extensively as before: in order to fulfill the needs of their citizens

Institutions and world Institutions and world order order In some cases states have to give up

their sovereignty: to UN , EUOver the past century- new institutions

treaties, regimes.Governance - collective processes of

rule-making, monitoring, implementation

Governance includes both informal and formal organizations at national and international level

Richard Falk – „Humane Governance“

Inequality and justiceInequality and justiceHuman, civil and political rights is very

important to liberalsUN charterMany states have refused to ratify

conventions and treatiesRight-leaning liberals: right of each

individual treatment, equally in the eyes of the law

Left-leaning liberals: more state intervention in the interests of addressing social inequality and to genuine equal opportunities

Identity and communityIdentity and communityCommunity for protecting their

independence or setting our their rights

Community of human kind) (boundaries of state, nation, race, ethnicity, culture, class and gender)

Global Society – normative consensus. Bonding people together, universal rights, people of the world

Identity and communityIdentity and communityTransnationalism – people

engage in numerous social interaction which tie people together across state boundaries

Conflict and violenceConflict and violenceWar can be avoidedPeace is possible in cooperation

with states and institutionsInstitutions play a central role in

mediating and resolving peace