Liberalism in international relations is a school of thought that revolves around three interrelated principles):
- Rejection of power politics as the only possible outcome of international relations.
- Emphasis on the importance of international institutions and cooperation.
- Belief in the possibility of progress and improvement in international relations.
Liberalism is one of the main schools of international relations theory, and it seeks to address the problems of achieving lasting peace and cooperation in international relations, and the various methods that could contribute to their achievement).
The basics of liberalism include a consideration of citizens and international organizations, and it offers a more optimistic world view, grounded in a different reading of history to that found in realist scholarship. Liberalism sees the implementation of international organizations and non-governmental bodies as important factors in world politics, while rejecting the realist theory that international relations are a zero-sum game.
The following are some of the key components of liberalism in international relations:
- The state is not subject to the authority of other states nor is it subject to other internal authorities such as the military.
- International law organizations and non-governmental organizations are equally important factors in world politics.
- Multistate political formations and non-governmental forces influence foreign policy as a means of increasing international cooperation.
Liberalism is a valuable concept for those on political and diplomatic career tracks.