1 Understanding Global Politics Lecture 5: Introduction to Liberalism

2 John Locke ( ) Two Treatises of Government (1690); Two Treatises of Government (1690); A powerful advocate of consent and constitutionalism; A powerful advocate of consent and constitutionalism; Consent—authority arises from below through the consent of the governed; Consent—authority arises from below through the consent of the governed; Constitutionalism—the practice of limited government brought about through the existence of a constitution. Constitutionalism—the practice of limited government brought about through the existence of a constitution.

3 Immanuel Kant ( ) Critique of Pure Reason (1781) and Critique of Practical Reason (1788); Critique of Pure Reason (1781) and Critique of Practical Reason (1788); Individualism—a belief in the primacy of the individual over any social group or collective body; Individualism—a belief in the primacy of the individual over any social group or collective body; The important of morality in politics; The important of morality in politics; Reason would be a substitute for the use of force in world politics. Reason would be a substitute for the use of force in world politics.

4 Jeremy Bentham ( ) Fragments on Government (1776); Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789); Fragments on Government (1776); Principles of Morals and Legislation (1789); Individuals are motivated by self- interest and these interests are the desire for pleasure/happiness; Individuals are motivated by self- interest and these interests are the desire for pleasure/happiness; Rational and calculating individuals capable of deciding what is best for themselves without much government interference. Rational and calculating individuals capable of deciding what is best for themselves without much government interference.

5 The importance of individuals Individuals as the most important unit of analysis; Individuals as the most important unit of analysis; Human beings are, first and foremost, individuals endowed with reason; Human beings are, first and foremost, individuals endowed with reason; Methodological individualism— individuals are central to any political theory or social explanation; Methodological individualism— individuals are central to any political theory or social explanation; Ethical individualism—priority should be given to individuals’ rights, needs and interests. Ethical individualism—priority should be given to individuals’ rights, needs and interests.

6 The role of the state Classical liberalism—a belief in minimal states, whose function is limited to the maintenance of domestic order; human beings, who are self-interested and self-sufficient, should be responsible for their own lives and circumstances; Classical liberalism—a belief in minimal states, whose function is limited to the maintenance of domestic order; human beings, who are self-interested and self-sufficient, should be responsible for their own lives and circumstances; Modern/social liberalism—a more sympathetic attitude towards states, born out of the belief that unregulated markets produces various forms of injustice. Modern/social liberalism—a more sympathetic attitude towards states, born out of the belief that unregulated markets produces various forms of injustice.

7 Social structures and relations Minimal states are possible because there is an underlying harmony of interests among individuals; Minimal states are possible because there is an underlying harmony of interests among individuals; Co-operation is a central feature of all human relations; Co-operation is a central feature of all human relations; States are composed of numerous persons representing a multitude of interests; States are composed of numerous persons representing a multitude of interests; Public decisions are informed by the public opinion and political consensus arising out of the clash of ideas and interests. Public decisions are informed by the public opinion and political consensus arising out of the clash of ideas and interests.

8 Pluralism As a normative term—diversity is healthy and desirable in itself because it safeguards individual freedom; As a normative term—diversity is healthy and desirable in itself because it safeguards individual freedom; As a descriptive term—political pluralism: the existence of electoral choice, a competitive party system, individuals represented through organised groups, equal access of organised groups to the policy process, fragmented states to offer groups access points. As a descriptive term—political pluralism: the existence of electoral choice, a competitive party system, individuals represented through organised groups, equal access of organised groups to the policy process, fragmented states to offer groups access points.

9 From domestic to international Liberalism carried over into the international realm; Liberalism carried over into the international realm; Agree with realists that the state of anarchy characterises world (as opposed to domestic) politics; Agree with realists that the state of anarchy characterises world (as opposed to domestic) politics; Anarchy contributes to suspicion and distrust and pose an obstacle to co- operation and peace; Anarchy contributes to suspicion and distrust and pose an obstacle to co- operation and peace; But a harmony of interests among states is possible; so is peace. But a harmony of interests among states is possible; so is peace.

10 Optimistic views of inter-state relations Commercial liberalism—the expansion of international economic activities make it costly to go to war and increased economic interdependence creates disincentives to cut profitable relations; Commercial liberalism—the expansion of international economic activities make it costly to go to war and increased economic interdependence creates disincentives to cut profitable relations; Regulatory liberalism—international laws and organisations contribute to the peaceful settlement of disputes among states and enhance global co- operation. Regulatory liberalism—international laws and organisations contribute to the peaceful settlement of disputes among states and enhance global co- operation.

11 More reasons for optimism Democratic liberalism—the spread of democratic political systems make it impossible to confine questions of war and peace to a small group of political and military elites; concerns with domestic public opinions act as a brake on any moves towards international confrontation; Democratic liberalism—the spread of democratic political systems make it impossible to confine questions of war and peace to a small group of political and military elites; concerns with domestic public opinions act as a brake on any moves towards international confrontation; Learning process—leaders and citizens learn how costly it would be to wage war. Learning process—leaders and citizens learn how costly it would be to wage war.