Liberalism and International System

Liberalism assigns relatively less theoretical importance to the international system than realism and radicalism. Given this, what are the most important contributions of liberal theory to our understanding of the international system? Do liberals really care about the international system, or do their primary analytical concerns lie elsewhere? Explain your answer.

Liberalism and International System

Liberalism assigns relatively less theoretical importance to the international system than realism and radicalism. Given this, what are the most important contributions of liberal theory to our understanding of the international system? Do liberals care about the international system, or do their primary analytical concerns lie elsewhere? Explain your answer.

International System is comprised of states, which take various kinds of diplomatic and non-diplomatic measures to meet strategic and economic objectives. Liberalism views the international system as a platform, rather than an arena, where countries could interact and devise instruments to meet objectives in such manner that it benefits all the participating parties (states). However, Realism has a very grim understanding and view of International Systems. It considers international system an arena, rather than a platform, where states are rational actors and their pursuit only their self-interests. When a state’s interest aligns with wither another country, it’s allies and when they diverge, they become rivals. As it is presumed, by liberalism and liberals that a state alone cannot realize its strategic and economic objectives; therefore, international system’s relevance augments in liberalism and for liberals. Liberalism theories related to internationalism assert that strategic and economic objectives, of a state, can be realized through international bodies and institutions (Kylene).

It is asserted that liberalism gives less importance to the international system, which is political-economic. However, this is a misunderstanding, as liberalism asserts that strategic objectives are realized with the aid of non-state actors. This fundamental difference gives the false impression that liberalism is dismissive about the International System.

The contributions, of Liberalism and theories related to it, are immense in the context of International Systems. For instance, global institutions such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, etc. are good examples that endorse various assertions of liberalism. These institutions are formed with the objective to facilitate countries to realize their various kinds of objectives, may they be economic or strategic, in a systematic manner, which does not adversely affect other states. However, it must be acknowledged that in Realpolitik, it is very difficult to devise a win-win situation, but to an extent, it can be achieved (Rob).

The emergence of the European Union is another example of authenticity and relevance of liberalism theories. The devising of the European Union to some extent contradicts the basic premise of Realism, which is that countries only pursuit self-interests and the only state can realize goals and targets, which are imperative to meet and hit. This emergence of Alliances, Unions and Global institutions, in an international system, can more easily be understood through liberalism’s theories related to the international system (Schimmelfennig 66).

To understand better, how cultural exchange and economic interdependence reduce conflict (liberalism theory), we study the example of the European Union, which is comprised of countries, which had stern relations with one another, only five or decades ago. As the economic cooperation and cultural exchange increased, the conflict reduced significantly and eventually it gave birth to the European Union (as predicted by Liberalism Theory). It is an excellent example, which provides irrefutable evidence regarding the authenticity and credibility of Liberalism theories about International System.

Liberals are truly concerned about International System, as they believe that developments, in the International System, impacts local politics and economy. However, liberals do not believe that International System can be used as an instrument itself to realize local political and economic objectives. They believe that real changes in the economy and political system, of a country, are brought about by local factors. For instance, consumption, employment, and size of middle class affects politics and economics in a country. The external factors play their part; however, their role is minimized in both politics and economics; unless the country is at war (Iraq/Afghanistan) or a trade agreement is strong (adversely) impacting its economic system (NAFTA). Therefore, it is not true that Liberals and Liberalism are highly dismissive of International System; in fact, they consider it imperative to increase financial/economic interdependence and cultural exchange. It must also be recognized that liberalism theories are evolving and as they are evolving, they are more focusing on the international system (Pfefferle).

Work Cited

Kylene, Bea. “Realism and Liberalism in International Relations.” E-International Relations Studdents. E-International Relations Studdents, 2 July 2011. Web. 17 January 2018. http://www.e-ir.info/2011/07/02/realism-and-liberalism-in-modern-international-relations/.

Pfefferle, Tim. “The Neo-Neo Debate in International Relations Theory.” E-International Relations Studdents. E-International Relations Studdents, 9 January 2014. Web. 17 Janauary 2018. https://www.e-ir.info/2014/01/09/the-neo-neo-debate-in-international-relations-theory-progress-or-regression/.

Rob. “Is the UN a liberal or realist organization?”  World Politiocs. World Politics, 17 September 2008. Web. 17 January 2018. http://worldpolfall08ptj.blogspot.com/2008/09/is-un-liberal-or-realist-organization.html.

Schimmelfennig, Frank. “The community trap: Liberal norms, rhetorical action, and the eastern enlargement of the European Union.” International organization 55.1 (2003): 47-80.