Liberalism Central Assumptions and Propositions View of history: progressive change possible – Material: prosperity through technological progress, economic interdependence (free trade), globalization – Moral/social justice: abolition of slave trade & apartheid, human rights, ICC, etc. Peace: End of the cold war / liberal democratic peace / obsolescence of great power war

Liberalism Central Assumptions and Propositions View of history: progress Key actors: International Society – State interests as product of domestic actor’s preferences (not balance of capabilities) & international norms – Transnational Networks including non-state transnational actors: IOs (UN, WTO, ICC) NGOs (Medecins Sans Frontiers, Greenpeace, Amnesty International) – = Global civil society? Individuals / Moral Entrepreneurs

Liberalism Central Assumptions and Propositions View of history - progressive change possible Key actors - Pluralist / International Society: Transnational Networks Behavior – Benign / Cooperative / Humanitarian E.g.: How to explain foreign aid / Canada and WTO waiver of patent protections for AIDS drugs, human rights, WTO, etc? Sources of cooperative behavior

International Society What were the last several times you obeyed the law? What were the last several times you obeyed the law? Why did you do it? Why did you do it? Why comply in world politics? Why comply in world politics? Coercion (“forced to”): Coercion (“forced to”): – Realism / critical theories Self-interested gain (“voluntarily for benefits/costs”): Self-interested gain (“voluntarily for benefits/costs”): – (Neo-) liberalism / rational choice Legitimacy (“because it was right”) / socialization: Legitimacy (“because it was right”) / socialization: – (liberal) constructivism

Liberalism Central Assumptions and Propositions Sources of Cooperation: – I) (Enlightened) self-interest Absolute gains from cooperation Reciprocity International trade as positive sum game (liberal economic / trade theory): all gain

Liberalism Central Assumptions and Propositions Sources of Cooperation: – I) Enlightened (material) self-interest Reciprocity Learning – II) Communication, Information & Verification Overcome problems of distrust and cheating (Prisoner’s Dilemma, Collective Action Problems) International Institutions: Monitoring & verification for compliance – CWC / NPT & IAEA

Liberalism Central Assumptions and Propositions Implications: – World Politics as interdependent global society with international institutions facilitating cooperation

Liberalism: Policy Prescriptions Institutions Matter: Multilateralism - IOs & International Law – vs. isolationism, balancing, unilateralism Ideas Matter: – Stability requires justice: ICC vs. amnesties for stability (realism) – “Enlargement”: Encourage democracies - Liberal Democratic peace theory “There are no clear cut cases of sovereign stable democracies waging war with each other in the modern international system” Bruce Russett Reassurance & Bargaining Incentives (vs deterrence) – Iran / North Korea

Liberalism Criticisms Too optimistic / Naïve (realism): – Reassurance / negotiation: subject to blackmail / cheating – Cooperation problems: Persistence of self-interest & conflict

To what extent can we cooperate for our mutual advantage? Collective goods: A benefit available to all that can be enjoyed even if you lower your own individual contribution, but if too many “free ride”, the good won’t be provided. Example: Clean environment and air pollution – Collective action problems as explanation for failing to deal adequately with global climate change

Liberalism Criticisms Too optimistic / Naïve (realism): – Reassurance / negotiation: subject to blackmail / cheating – Cooperation problems: Persistence of self-interest & conflict Moral crusades / Cultural imperialism Injustice & Inequalities (critical theory)