Liberalism

How it is used

Branches include liberal institutionalism (neoliberalism), which stresses institutions, and democratic peace theory, which observes that democracies rarely fight each other. Its followers are 'liberals', and it is usually taught as the main alternative to realism.

Example sentences

1. Liberalism argues that international institutions help states trust each other.

2. In the exam, compare realism and liberalism on the question of cooperation.

3. Economic interdependence is a central theme in liberalism.

Common collocations

• liberal institutionalism
• democratic peace theory
• liberal international order
• liberalism and realism

Related terms

• realismA major theory of international relations holding that states are the main actors, that they pursue power and security in an anarchic system, and that conflict is always possible.
• constructivismA theory of international relations holding that ideas, identities and shared norms, not only material power, shape how states see their interests and how they behave.
• interdependenceA situation in which states depend on each other, for example through trade, investment, energy or technology, so that events in one country affect others.
• international organisationA body set up by agreement between states, with its own members, rules and permanent staff, to deal with shared problems such as security, trade, health or development.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• liberalism · Philosophy

More terms: Theories of International Relations

• international relations
• balance of power
• anarchy
• great power
• hegemony
• security dilemma
• non-state actor