Liberalism flashcards

All 30 cards

1. Card 1

   Define the two primary elements of liberalism as discussed in the lecture.

   Liberalism is characterized by two main elements: ideational and economic. The ideational aspect focuses on normative and proactive goals for addressing deficiencies in the international system, assuming it can be changed over time. The economic aspect, commercial liberalism, emerged in response to mercantilism and emphasizes free trade and interdependence.

2. Card 2

   How does liberalism view the international system and the role of collective action?

   Liberalism views the international system as a community operating within anarchy. It posits that collective action is superior to competition, leading to better outcomes. This perspective emphasizes absolute gains, meaning the international environment is not a zero-sum game where one state's gain must be another's loss.

3. Card 3

   What role do values, norms, and laws play in the liberal understanding of international relations?

   In liberalism, values, norms, and laws are crucial for shaping international behavior. They contribute to the possibility of global governance and provide mechanisms—legal, normative, economic, and institutional—to address bad behavior. This framework fosters trust and suggests that conflict is a breakdown of the system, not an inevitable outcome.

4. Card 4

   According to John Locke and classic liberal philosophy, how does domestic behavior relate to international behavior?

   John Locke and classic liberal philosophy argue that peaceful international behavior emerges from lawful domestic behavior. The idea is that if a state acts poorly internally, it will likely act poorly externally, challenging the notion of states as 'black boxes' and suggesting a direct link between internal governance and external conduct.

5. Card 5

   How did classic liberal philosophy challenge the balance of power theory?

   Classic liberal philosophy challenged the balance of power theory by describing it as 'ceaseless agitation.' Instead, it emphasized the importance of republican states with checks and balances and representative government as 'peace producers,' believing such states would be more inclined to cooperate on conflict resolution rather than constantly striving for dominance.

6. Card 6

   Explain Kant's proposal for the abolishment of standing armies as a step towards perpetual peace.

   Kant proposed the abolishment of standing armies as one of his articles to achieve perpetual peace. He believed that the existence of permanent military forces inherently created a climate of suspicion and potential aggression among states, thereby hindering the establishment of lasting peace and cooperation.

7. Card 7

   Why did Kant advocate for non-interference in the internal affairs of other states?

   Kant advocated for non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, including activities like espionage, assassination, and incitement, as a critical step towards perpetual peace. He believed that such interventions violated state sovereignty and fueled mistrust and conflict, preventing the development of a stable and peaceful international order.

8. Card 8

   What was the significance of Kant's idea that all states should adopt civil republican constitutions for achieving perpetual peace?

   Kant believed that if all states adopted civil republican constitutions, it would be a crucial step towards perpetual peace. Republican governments, with their checks and balances and representative nature, were seen as more likely to prioritize peace and cooperation over war, as their citizens would bear the costs of conflict.

9. Card 9

   How did Kant's concept of states federating and observing a 'law of nations' contribute to his vision of perpetual peace?

   Kant's concept of states federating and observing a 'law of nations' was central to his vision of perpetual peace. He envisioned a federation of free states that would voluntarily adhere to common laws, creating a collective security framework and a system of international justice that would prevent individual states from resorting to war.

10. Card 10

    Why did liberalism, despite its historical foundations, largely fail to gain traction in practical implementation until the 20th century?

    Liberalism largely failed to gain traction in practical implementation until the 20th century due to the weakness of idealism in the face of pragmatism. Nineteenth-century liberals lacked a coherent plan to achieve their goals, and while elements flickered, such as in the Concert of Europe, preferences for monarchism and other values often overshadowed liberal ideals.

11. Card 11

    Distinguish between the zero-sum mentality of mercantilism and the absolute gains perspective of liberalism.

    Mercantilism operates on a zero-sum mentality, believing that one country's gain necessarily means another's loss, often leading to trade wars and aggressive competition. In contrast, liberalism emphasizes absolute gains, positing that the international environment is not a zero-sum game and that states can achieve mutual benefits through cooperation, leading to superior outcomes for all involved.

12. Card 12

    How does Adam Smith's concept of the 'hidden hand' relate to commercial liberalism?

    Adam Smith's concept of the 'hidden hand' in *The Wealth of Nations* is fundamental to commercial liberalism. It suggests that individuals pursuing their self-interest in a free market, without government intervention, inadvertently contribute to the overall economic well-being of society, promoting efficiency and prosperity through natural market forces.

13. Card 13

    Explain David Ricardo's theory of comparative advantage and its significance for commercial liberalism.

    David Ricardo's theory of comparative advantage, outlined in *On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation*, emphasizes that countries should specialize in producing goods and services where they have a lower opportunity cost. This specialization and subsequent trade lead to greater overall efficiency and wealth for all participating nations, rejecting autarky and promoting interdependence, which is a core tenet of commercial liberalism.

14. Card 14

    How did Richard Cobden's actions in the 1830s and 1860s contribute to the spread of economic liberalism?

    Richard Cobden significantly contributed to the spread of economic liberalism by advocating for international peace, non-intervention, and free trade in the 1830s. He successfully abolished protectionist laws and negotiated the Cobden-Chevalier Treaty with France in 1860, a landmark free-trade agreement that normalized relations and inspired the spread of liberal economic ideas across the West.

15. Card 15

    How does economic interdependence, fostered by trade, contribute to lowering the likelihood of conflict according to liberal theory?

    According to liberal theory, economic interdependence fostered by trade lowers the likelihood of conflict by increasing transaction costs. When states are deeply interconnected through trade, engaging in conflict becomes economically detrimental to both sides, as it disrupts valuable economic ties and shared prosperity, making war a less attractive option.

16. Card 16

    Beyond economic benefits, how does trade contribute to 'civilizing' relations between states in a liberal perspective?

    Beyond economic benefits, trade contributes to 'civilizing' relations between states by fostering cultural understanding. Increased interaction through trade allows for the exchange of ideas, values, and perspectives, leading to greater empathy and reducing misconceptions, thereby creating a more cooperative and peaceful international environment.

17. Card 17

    How does economic empowerment, according to liberal thought, lead to democratization and subsequently reduce the likelihood of war?

    In liberal thought, economic empowerment can lead to democratization by creating a more prosperous and educated citizenry that demands greater political freedoms and representation. Democracies, in turn, are believed to be less prone to engaging in war with other democracies, as their leaders are accountable to the populace who bear the costs of conflict.

18. Card 18

    Explain how economic engagement socializes states into international institutions.

    Economic engagement socializes states into international institutions by integrating them into forums like ASEAN, the EU, or the GCC. Through participation in these bodies, states adopt shared norms, rules, and practices, fostering cooperation, trust, and a collective approach to problem-solving, thereby reducing unilateral actions and potential conflicts.

19. Card 19

    What is the liberal perspective on conflict, and how is it addressed?

    The liberal perspective views conflict not as inevitable, but as a breakdown of the international system. It is addressed through legal, normative, economic, and institutional means, emphasizing trust and the use of soft power. The goal is to resolve disputes and restore cooperation through established frameworks and shared values.

20. Card 20

    How does liberalism's emphasis on 'maximising' interests relate to its emulation of the scientific method?

    Liberalism's emphasis on 'maximising' interests relates to its emulation of the scientific method by seeking to identify and implement policies that yield the most beneficial outcomes for all actors. This involves a rational, evidence-based approach to understanding international dynamics and designing solutions that optimize cooperation and collective gains, similar to how scientific inquiry aims to find optimal solutions.

21. Card 21

    How does the concept of 'soft power' align with liberal approaches to international relations?

    The concept of 'soft power' aligns with liberal approaches to international relations by emphasizing persuasion, cultural attraction, and shared values rather than coercion or military force. Liberalism believes that influence gained through diplomacy, economic ties, and institutional engagement is more sustainable and conducive to long-term peace and cooperation than hard power.

22. Card 22

    What are some of the historical challenges and contradictions faced by economic liberalism, particularly concerning the use of hard power?

    Historically, economic liberalism faced contradictions, as its expansion often relied on hard power enforcement mechanisms, such as colonial extraction, the British Navy, and events like the Opium Wars. This demonstrates a tension between the ideal of free markets and the reality of forcible opening of foreign markets to secure resources and trade advantages.

23. Card 23

    How did the rise of ideologies like Nazism and Communism in the 20th century challenge liberal principles?

    The rise of ideologies like Nazism and Communism in the 20th century profoundly challenged liberal principles by promoting totalitarianism, state control, and aggressive nationalism or international revolution, directly opposing liberalism's emphasis on individual rights, democracy, free markets, and peaceful international cooperation. These ideologies presented alternative, often violent, visions for political and economic order.

24. Card 24

    Distinguish between Keynesian and neoliberal economics within the context of economic liberalism.

    Within economic liberalism, Keynesian economics advocates for government intervention to balance markets and manage economic fluctuations, particularly during downturns. Neoliberal economics, in contrast, champions deregulation, privatization, and minimal government involvement, believing that free markets are inherently efficient and self-regulating. These represent two distinct approaches to achieving economic stability and growth within a liberal framework.

25. Card 25

    How did the Concert of Europe, despite its dissonance, show 'flickers of elements' of liberal thought?

    The Concert of Europe, while largely driven by pragmatic power politics and a preference for monarchism, showed 'flickers of elements' of liberal thought through its attempt to establish a system of collective security and diplomatic consultation to prevent widespread conflict. This effort, though imperfect, reflected a nascent desire for international cooperation and a departure from ceaseless warfare, aligning with liberal ideals of managing the international system.

26. Card 26

    Define the concept of 'comparative advantage' as emphasized by David Ricardo in 'On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation'.

    Comparative advantage refers to an economy's ability to produce a particular good or service at a lower opportunity cost than its trading partners. Ricardo argued that countries should specialize in producing goods where they have a comparative advantage and trade them, leading to mutual benefits and rejecting autarky.

27. Card 27

    How did Richard Cobden's advocacy for free trade impact British economic policy in the mid-19th century?

    Richard Cobden's advocacy led to the abolition of protectionist laws in Britain and the negotiation of the Cobden-Chevalier Treaty with France in 1860, a landmark free-trade agreement. This effectively removed the British government from significant economic affairs for the next 50 years, promoting widespread free trade during the Industrial Revolution.

28. Card 28

    Explain the theoretical link between economic liberalism and international peace.

    Economic liberalism posits that trade fosters interdependence between states, increasing the transaction costs of conflict and thereby lowering its likelihood. Additionally, economic engagement is believed to socialize states into international institutions and forums, promoting cultural understanding and potentially leading to democratization, which is associated with peaceful relations.

29. Card 29

    What are some of the key criticisms leveled against the Liberal International Order (LIO)?

    Criticisms of the LIO include the assumption of agent rationality and unlimited knowledge, concerns about whose ideals it truly serves (e.g., neocolonialism), and the belief that institutions are used to maintain the dominance of great powers. Critics also point to the weakness of institutions on contentious issues and the ability of strong states to disregard them, leading to an expansion of inequality.

30. Card 30

    How does the concept of 'hard power enforcement mechanisms' contradict the core tenets of economic liberalism regarding free trade?

    Economic liberalism generally promotes voluntary trade and cooperation for mutual benefit. However, the use of 'hard power enforcement mechanisms,' such as colonial extraction, the British navy, or the Opium Wars, represents the forcible opening of foreign markets. This contradicts the ideal of free and voluntary exchange, highlighting a historical tension between the theoretical ideals of economic liberalism and its practical implementation.

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