Liberal Internationalism and Marxist Theories of IR PDF
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Dr. Mario H. Maranan
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This document provides lecture notes on Liberal Internationalism and Marxist Theories of International Relations. It includes question-and-answer examples related to these concepts.
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Liberal Internationalism and Marxist Theories of International Relations DR. MARIO H. MARANAN 1. Two democratic countries are in a territorial dispute over an island. According to liberal internationalism, what is the most likely outcome?...
Liberal Internationalism and Marxist Theories of International Relations DR. MARIO H. MARANAN 1. Two democratic countries are in a territorial dispute over an island. According to liberal internationalism, what is the most likely outcome? A) They will go to war over the island B) The more powerful country will annex the island C) They will seek arbitration through an international institution D) They will form a military alliance against a common enemy C. ALRIGHT, TUMPAK ( C) They will seek arbitration through an international instit ution) Explanation: Liberal internationalism posits that democracies are less likely to go to war with each other and will use international institutions to peacefully resolve disputes. This reflects the liberal emphasis on cooperation and international organizations. 2. A developing country is considering accepting a loan from the IMF with conditions to privatize state industries. How would a Marxist theorist likely view this? A) As a B) As C) As D) As positive step exploitation irrelevant to enhancing toward by capitalist international the country's economic powers relations sovereignty development CONGRATS, MAY PLUS POINTS K A DAHIL TUMPAK ANG IYONG SA Explanation: Marxist theories view international GOT, financialB ANG TAMANG institutions like the IMFSAGOT as tools of capitalist exploitation, using debt and conditions to further the interests of wealthy nations at the expense of developing countries. 3. The United Nations Security Council is debating whether to authorize a peacekeeping mission to a conflict zone. Which perspective would most likely support this action? A) Liberal B) Classical C) Offensive Internationali Realism Neorealism sm D) Orthodox Marxism A. MAGALING, MAGALING, MAGA LING, MAGALING, MAGALING! Explanation: Liberal internationalism supports( A.international LIBERALISM INTERNATIONALIS institutions like the UN and M) collective security efforts like peacekeeping missions to promote peace and cooperation between states. The other perspectives would be more skeptical of such interventions. 4. A multinational corporation opens factories in a developing country, bringing jobs but also exploiting cheap labor. How would a Marxist view this? A) As mutually D) As B) As irrelevant C) As spreading beneficial reinforcing to international democratic economic global inequality relations values cooperation and exploitation B. DI MO AKO MALILINLANG! D. NAKA-CHAMBA KA RIN! D AN G TAMANG SAGOT (AS REINFOR Explanation: Marxist theories view CING GLOBAL INEQUALITY AND multinational corporations as agents of EXPLOITATION) capitalist exploitation, extracting profits from developing countries and reinforcing an unequal global economic system. 5. Two countries sign a free trade agreement removing tariffs and trade barriers. A liberal internationalist would likely see this as: B) Increasing D) Irrelevant A) A threat to C) Promoting the risk of war to national peace and between the international sovereignty cooperation countries relations C. IYAN, NAKANA MO! C. PROMO TING PEACE Explanation: AND Liberal COOPERATION internationalists NGA believe that economic interdependence and free trade promote peaceful relations between states by creating shared interests and disincentives for conflict. 6. A group of developing countries form an economic bloc to increase their bargaining power with wealthy nations. A Marxist would likely view this as: B) An attempt D) Promoting A) A threat to to challenge C) Irrelevant to liberal global stability capitalist class struggle democratic exploitation values B. TAMA ANG IYONG ATTEMPT! ( B. AN ATTEMPT TO CHALLENGE Explanation: Marxist theories emphasize the CAPITALIST EXPLOITATION) exploitation of developing countries by wealthy capitalist powers. They would see this economic bloc as an attempt by exploited nations to resist and challenge the capitalist world order. Liberal Internationalism: - Emphasizes cooperation - Views states as the between states and primary actors in IR, the potential for but also recognizes progress in the importance of international affairs international through institutions, organizations, NGOs, democracy, free and other non-state trade, and collective actors. security. … - Believes - Generally liberal - Advocates optimistic democratic - Supports free for states are trade and international about the inherently economic institutions potential more peaceful interdependen and laws to for and that ce as ways to manage cooperatio spreading promote peace relations democracy and prosperity. between n and can reduce states. progress in conflict. IR. Marxist Theories: - Focus on economic factors as the primary drivers of international relations, particularly the global capitalist system. - View states as instruments of the capitalist class rather than independent actors. - Emphasize conflict and exploitation in the international system, particularly between core capitalist states and peripheral/developing states. - Critique liberal notions of free trade as masking economic imperialism and exploitation. - Skeptical of international institutions, seeing them as serving the interests of powerful capitalist states. - Advocate for revolutionary change in the global economic system to address inequality and exploitation. - More pessimistic about prospects for peace and cooperation under the current capitalist world order. - Highlight issues of class struggle on a global scale rather than conflicts between nation- states. Key differences LIBERAL INTERNATIONALISM MARXISM focuses more on states and emphasizes economic classes institutions as key actors and structures more optimistic about emphasize conflict and cooperation exploitation. approaches support the existing call for more radical systemic international order with reforms change. see free trade as beneficial view it as exploitative emphasize political factors like prioritize economic factors. … In summary, Liberal Internationalism and Marxism offer very different perspectives on the nature of the international system and the potential for progress and cooperation between states. Liberal theories tend to work within the existing state system, while Marxist approaches call for more revolutionary change to the global economic order. Definition and Key Principles: Liberal internationalism is an approach to international relations that emphasizes cooperation between nations, international institutions, free trade, and the spread of democracy. The key principles include: - Promoting international cooperation and interdependence between nations - Supporting international organizations and institutions (e.g. UN, WTO) - Advocating for free trade and open markets - Spreading democracy and liberal values globally - Emphasizing diplomacy and international law over military force - Supporting human rights and humanitarian interventions Historical Development: - Has roots in Enlightenment liberal thought of the 18th-19th centuries (e.g. Kant's idea of "perpetual peace") - Gained prominence after World War I with Woodrow Wilson's "14 Points" and the League of Nations - Faced setbacks in the interwar period and World War II - Revived after WWII with the creation of the UN, Bretton Woods system, etc. - Became dominant Western approach during the Cold War, promoting democracy and free markets - Reached peak influence in 1990s after end of Cold War ("end of history") - Faced challenges in 21st century from rise of China, populism, etc. but remains influential 3. Key Thinkers in Liberal Internationalism - Immanuel Kant - Woodrow Wilson - Francis Fukuyama 1. A group of nations is debating whether to form a voluntary federation to arbitrate disputes between them. Which thinker's ideas does this most closely align with? B) C) A) D) Woodro Francis Immanu Thomas w Fukuya el Kant Hobbes Wilson ma CONGRATS, TUMPAK! SI IMMANUEL KANT ANG TAMANG SAGOT! A) Immanuel Kant Explanation: Kant envisioned a voluntary federation of states to arbitrate disputes, foreshadowing later international organizations. This aligns most closely with his ideas on achieving "perpetual peace" between nations. 2. After a major war, the victorious nations are proposing to create a new international organization focused on collective security. Whose vision does this most reflect? A) Francis Fukuyama B) John Locke C) Woodrow Wilson D) Karl Marx YAHOO!, SI WOODROW ANG NAKASALBA SA IYO! C) Woodrow Wilson Explanation: Wilson was the key architect of the League of Nations after World War I, which was designed as a collective security organization. This scenario closely matches Wilson's vision for international cooperation after major conflicts. 3. Following the collapse of an authoritarian regime, a country is transitioning to liberal democracy and a market economy. Which thinker would likely view this as part of a broader historical trend? A) C) D) Jean- B) Francis Immanuel Woodrow Jacques Fukuyama Kant Wilson Rousseau WOW, TUMPAK. B) Francis Fukuyama AN G TAMANG KASAGUTAN Explanation: Fukuyama argued that liberal democracy represented the "end point" of humanity's sociocultural evolution. He would likely see this transition as part of the broader trend toward liberal democracy that he theorized. 4. Several democratic nations are forming a trade agreement, arguing it will promote peace between them. Which thinker's ideas does this most closely reflect? A) C) D) B) Francis Thomas Woodrow Immanuel Fukuyama Hobbes Wilson Kant TUMPAK NA TUMPAK: D) Immanuel Kant ANG TAMANG SAGOT Explanation: Kant argued that economic interdependence between republics would promote peace. This scenario of democratic nations using trade agreements to foster peace aligns closely with Kant's ideas on achieving lasting peace between nations. B. CONGRATS! YOU GOT IT RIGHT! Answer: B) Woodrow Wilson Explanation: Wilson advocated for spreading democracy globally and supported interventions, as reflected in his "Fourteen Points" speech. Compared to the other thinkers listed, he would likely be most supportive of military intervention to promote democracy. 6. After the fall of a major authoritarian power, political commentators are declaring the "triumph of liberalism" globally. Whose ideas does this proclamation most closely reflect? B) A) Woodrow C) Francis D) John Immanuel Wilson Fukuyama Locke Kant C. YES…. MAGALING, MAGALING, M AGALING: C) Francis Fukuyama Explanation: Fukuyama famously argued for the "end of history" with the triumph of liberal democracy over other ideologies after the Cold War. This scenario of declaring liberalism's global triumph closely matches Fukuyama's thesis. 1. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) Kant was an influential Enlightenment philosopher who laid essential foundations for liberal internationalist thought. Key ideas include: —Perpetual Peace: In his 1795 essay "Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch," Kant outlined conditions for lasting peace between nations. These included Republican constitutions, a federation of free states, and universal hospitality. - Democratic Peace Theory: Kant argued that republics would be less likely to go to war with each other, as citizens would be reluctant to bear the costs. This became the basis for modern democratic peace theory. - Cosmopolitan Right: Kant proposed a "cosmopolitan right" of universal hospitality, where individuals can visit foreign lands without hostility. This pointed towards ideas of global citizenship. - International Institutions: Kant envisioned a voluntary federation of states to arbitrate disputes, foreshadowing later international organizations like the League of Nations and UN. ENLIGHTENMENT The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. Some key aspects of the Enlightenment include: 1. Emphasis on reason: The Enlightenment promoted RATIONAL THOUGHT and scientific inquiry as the primary means of understanding the world, RATHER THAN TRADITION OR RELIGIOUS DOGMA. 2. Belief in progress: Enlightenment thinkers believed that HUMAN SOCIETY COULD BE IMPROVED THROUGH RATIONAL CHANGE AND REFORM. 3. Skepticism towards traditional authority: The MOVEMENT CHALLENGED ESTABLISHED INSTITUTIONS, particularly the Catholic Church and absolute monarchies. 4. Individual rights: Enlightenment philosophers ADVOCATED FOR NATURAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY. 5. Social contract theory: Thinkers like John Locke developed ideas about government being based on the CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED. 6. Scientific method: The Enlightenment emphasized empirical observation and experimentation as ways to gain knowledge. 7. Religious tolerance: Many Enlightenment thinkers PROMOTED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. 8. Education: There was a strong belief in the POWER OF EDUCATION to improve society and individual human potential. 9. Cultural exchange: The movement facilitated the spread of ideas across national and cultural boundaries. In international relations, Enlightenment ideas influenced liberal internationalist thinking. Thinkers like Immanuel Kant and Jeremy Bentham reacted to the "LAWLESS STATE OF SAVAGERY" IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS BY PROPOSING WAYS TO ESTABLISH GOVERNANCE OVER PEACE AND WAR BASED ON REASON AND MORAL PHILOSOPHY. Their ideas laid the groundwork for concepts like international law, collective security, and perpetual peace that would shape later liberal internationalist thought. 2. Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) As US President during WWI, Wilson was instrumental in promoting liberal internationalist ideas: - FOURTEEN POINTS: OPEN Wilson's 1918 speech outlined principles for post-war peace, including DIPLOMACY, FREE TRADE, ARMS REDUCTIONS, AND NATIONAL SELF-DETERMINATION. - LEAGUE OF NATIONS: Wilson was the key architect of the League of Nations, the first global intergovernmental organization aimed at maintaining world peace. COLLECTIVE SECURITY: Wilson advocated for a system of collective security in which aggression against one state would be met by a response from all. - LIBERAL WORLD ORDER: Wilson's vision laid the groundwork for a liberal international order based on open markets, international law, and multilateral institutions. 1. Fourteen Points: Wilson's Fourteen Points speech, delivered to Congress in January 1918, was a landmark statement of liberal internationalist principles. Key elements included: - Open diplomacy and an end to secret treaties - Freedom of the seas - Removal of economic barriers and establishment of free trade - Reduction of armaments - Impartial adjustment of colonial claims, considering the interests of colonial populations - Self-determination for nations under foreign rule - Creation of a general association of nations (later the League of Nations) These points represented a radical departure from traditional power politics and aimed to create a more just and peaceful international order. 2. League of Nations: Wilson was the primary architect and champion of the League of Nations. His vision for the League included: - A forum for international cooperation and conflict resolution - Collective security arrangements to deter aggression - Mechanisms for peaceful settlement of disputes - Promotion of international law and norms While the League ultimately failed to prevent World War II, it set important precedents for international organization and cooperation that influenced the creation of the United Nations after World War II. 3. Collective Security: Wilson's concept of collective security was revolutionary for its time. Key aspects included: - The idea that peace was indivisible – a threat to one nation was a threat to all - An obligation for all member states to respond to aggression against any member - The use of economic and diplomatic sanctions as a first response to aggression - The possibility of military action as a last resort This approach aimed to replace the traditional balance of power system with a more cooperative and law-based international order. 4. Liberal World Order: Wilson's vision for a liberal world order encompassed several key elements: - Democracy promotion: Wilson believed that democratic governments were more peaceful and that spreading democracy would enhance global stability. - Economic interdependence: He advocated for free trade and open markets as a way to promote peace through mutual economic interests. - International law: Wilson emphasized the importance of international law and institutions in regulating state behavior. - Multilateralism: He promoted cooperation through international organizations and treaties rather than unilateral action or narrow alliances. 3. Francis Fukuyama (1952-present) Francis Fukuyama's work has been highly influential in shaping liberal internationalist thought in the post-Cold War era. His ideas can be expanded upon as follows: 1. End of History: Fukuyama's "End of History" thesis posited that Western liberal democracy represented the final form of human government. He argued that with the fall of communism, liberal democracy had triumphed over all other competing ideologies. This didn't mean historical events would cease, but rather that there would be no further evolution in the fundamental principles of governance. 2. Liberal Democracy Triumphant: Fukuyama contended that liberal democracy had proven itself superior to alternative systems like communism, fascism, or hereditary monarchy. He argued that liberal democracies were more stable internally and more peaceful in their international relations. This idea aligned with and reinforced the democratic peace theory, which suggests that democracies rarely, if ever, go to war with each other. 3. Modernization Theory: Drawing on modernization theory, Fukuyama suggested that as societies develop economically and socially, they naturally progress toward liberal democratic systems. This idea implied a certain inevitability to the spread of liberal democracy globally as countries modernize and integrate into the global economy. 4. Liberal World Order: Fukuyama's work provided intellectual support for a liberal world order led by the United States. His thesis suggested that promoting liberal democracy and free markets globally was not just a policy choice but the natural direction of historical progress. This influenced U.S. foreign policy in the post-Cold War era, supporting interventions and democracy promotion efforts. 5. Challenges and Revisions: In recent years, Fukuyama has acknowledged challenges to his original thesis, including the rise of illiberal democracies, the persistence of authoritarian regimes, and the global financial crisis. However, he maintains that liberal democracy remains the most viable and desirable system of government, even if its triumph is not inevitable. 6. Identity Politics: More recently, Fukuyama has focused on the challenges posed by identity politics to liberal democracies. He argues that while recognizing diverse identities is important, overemphasizing group identities can undermine the cohesion necessary for liberal democracies to function effectively. 7. State Capacity: Fukuyama has also emphasized the importance of state capacity and democratic institutions. He argues that effective governance requires not just democratic accountability but also competent state institutions capable of delivering public goods and services. 8. Global Implications: Fukuyama's work has had significant implications for how liberal internationalists view global order. It has reinforced the idea that promoting liberal democracy is not just a matter of national interest, but a moral imperative aligned with the direction of history. Fukuyama's ideas have been both influential and controversial. While events since the 1990s have challenged some of his more optimistic predictions, his work remains a key reference point in debates about the future of liberal democracy and the global order. These thinkers represent different historical stages in the development of liberal internationalist thought - from Enlightenment philosophical foundations, to early 20th century institutionalization, to post-Cold War triumphalism. Their ideas have been hugely influential in shaping liberal approaches to international relations. Democratic Peace Theory: - Democracies are less likely to go to war with each other - Shared democratic values and institutions promote peaceful relations between democratic states - Democratic governments are more constrained by public opinion and less likely to engage in aggressive wars - Spreading democracy globally will lead to a more peaceful world order International Institutions and Cooperation: - International organizations and institutions (like the UN, WTO, etc.) can help facilitate cooperation between states - Collective security arrangements can deter aggression and maintain peace - International law and norms can constrain state behavior - Global governance through institutions can address transnational issues - Multilateralism and diplomacy are preferred over unilateralism and force Free Trade and Economic Interdependence: - Economic interdependence through free trade reduces incentives for conflict - Globalization and economic integration promote peace between trading partners - International economic institutions (IMF, World Bank, etc.) can foster cooperation - Economic development and prosperity reduce motivations for war - Open markets and capitalism are linked to democracy and peace In essence, liberal internationalism argues that democracy, international institutions, and economic interdependence can create a more cooperative and peaceful world order. It emphasizes the role of international cooperation, shared norms and values, and economic ties in promoting stability and reducing conflict between states. The theory posits that as these liberal features spread globally, the international system will become more peaceful and prosperous.