How is liberalism centred on the ability of states to cooperate to avoid conflict?

POLS 2504 Essay

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Liberalism is one of the main theories of International relations theory which through the years has been promoted by the likes of Adam Smith or John Locke. It seeks to address issues that enable countries achieve peace and cooperation in their relations with one another. In terms of international relations, liberalism describes how international conflicts can be avoided by utilizing and developing shared norms, economic connectedness, and international institutions. Liberal international theorists argue that international institutions are important in facilitating cooperation among states. They also argue that liberal states are more likely to be conflict-free than illiberal states and engage in warfare only with undemocratic states.1 Moreover, liberalism is also seen as an economic model which is mainly based on capitalism. The exchange of cultural and economic benefits among states prevents conflict or war between them, as they are peacefully co-existing through respect and understanding. Since World War II, as a result of liberalistic achievements, cooperation has become the norm over violence in contemporary international relations because of the democratic peace theory, the interconnectedness of the European Union, and the humanitarian efforts of the United Nations.

1 Buchan, Bruce. "Explaining War and Peace: Kant and Liberal IR Theory." Alternatives: Global, Local, Political 27, no. 4 (2002): pp: 407-408.