Liberal theories help us understand international relations, but they don't always explain global conflicts very well. Here are a few reasons why:
Behavior of Countries: Liberalism thinks that countries act rationally, focusing mostly on working together for mutual gain. However, this view misses some situations where countries act aggressively for their own interests. For example, when the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, they claimed it was to spread democracy and safety. Many people argued that it actually led to more conflict instead of cooperation.
Influence of Non-State Groups: Liberalism mainly looks at countries, but it often ignores the impact of non-state actors, like terrorist groups, big companies, and charitable organizations. Groups like ISIS show us how these non-state actors can create big problems for peace and safety, which complicates the idea that cooperation is the best way to achieve security.
Power Differences: The liberal view sometimes downplays the differences in power between countries. For example, there are power imbalances between wealthy countries (often called the Global North) and poorer ones (the Global South). This can lead to unfair trade agreements that benefit the richer countries while leaving poorer nations struggling.
Importance of History: Liberal theories might not take into account the historical settings and identity issues that drive conflicts. For example, the lasting effects of colonialism can still cause tension today, especially in the relationships between former colonies and their colonizers.
In summary, while liberalism teaches us a lot about cooperation and the importance of institutions, it doesn't always capture the full picture of global conflicts. To understand these issues better, we need to blend ideas from realism and constructivism, which provide a deeper look at the complexities of international relations.
Liberal theories help us understand international relations, but they don't always explain global conflicts very well. Here are a few reasons why:
Behavior of Countries: Liberalism thinks that countries act rationally, focusing mostly on working together for mutual gain. However, this view misses some situations where countries act aggressively for their own interests. For example, when the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, they claimed it was to spread democracy and safety. Many people argued that it actually led to more conflict instead of cooperation.
Influence of Non-State Groups: Liberalism mainly looks at countries, but it often ignores the impact of non-state actors, like terrorist groups, big companies, and charitable organizations. Groups like ISIS show us how these non-state actors can create big problems for peace and safety, which complicates the idea that cooperation is the best way to achieve security.
Power Differences: The liberal view sometimes downplays the differences in power between countries. For example, there are power imbalances between wealthy countries (often called the Global North) and poorer ones (the Global South). This can lead to unfair trade agreements that benefit the richer countries while leaving poorer nations struggling.
Importance of History: Liberal theories might not take into account the historical settings and identity issues that drive conflicts. For example, the lasting effects of colonialism can still cause tension today, especially in the relationships between former colonies and their colonizers.
In summary, while liberalism teaches us a lot about cooperation and the importance of institutions, it doesn't always capture the full picture of global conflicts. To understand these issues better, we need to blend ideas from realism and constructivism, which provide a deeper look at the complexities of international relations.