According To Liberal Internationalism, How Can Security Be Best

According To Liberal Internationalism, How Can Security Be Best According To Liberal Internationalism, How Can Security Be Best Achieved â€" Essay Example > @2011 Introduction Liberal internationalism is one significant international relations ideology that emphasizes the need for security within the international context. The theory was propagated by Emmanuel Kant in1795 in his publication perpetual peace. According to Kant, Liberal internationalism is the possibility and necessity of sovereign states to relate in a manner that is more just, peaceful and compatible with the rights and freedoms of all people in society. As an international dimension of liberalism and idealism, liberal internationalism is grounded on the belief that the elimination of aggression and war among states is essential in facilitating the spread of democratic states across the globe. Kant therefore argues that there is need for reforms in international relations among sovereign states in order ensure that peace and security is attained and maintained (Hurrell, 1990, 183-184). The ideology therefore proposed various ways in which security can best achieved wit hin the international context. This paper seeks to evaluate Liberal internationalism views on how security can best be attained. The scope of the analysis will also be grounded on evaluating the background of Liberal internationalism and providing and insight into the aspect of international security. Background of Liberal InternationalismLiberal internationalism within the context of international relations can be traced back to United States 28th president Woodrow Wilson. Wilson was a great reformist who believed that liberalism in international relations is the way to go. In his perspective he believed that nations should coexist as peace loving nations where justice and fairness is guaranteed. Wilson therefore proposed a world peace program that consisted of fourteen fundamental points. Some of the areas highlighted by Wilson include the need for transparency in the process and purpose for peace. Another proposal was that a general national association must be developed under an agreed upon covenant in order to enhance integrity in both small and great nations. Wilson passionately held the belief that it is only through international law that humanity can be rescued from insecurity, war and violence (Wilson's Fourteen Points, 1918). The development of the League of Nations after the First World War is another first permanent initiative that was developed to enhance peace in the international community. The objective of this particular international organization was war prevention through adopting a system of international dispute settlement, disarmament and collective security. In 1924, the League of Nations developed amendments that would be used in advancing international cooperation, international security and peace. Some of the areas of amendment include security and peace, the recognition of obligations of not resorting to war, honorable and just relations between nations, respect for treaties and the understanding of the rule of conduct and intern ational law among governments (Goldman 2008). Liberal Internationalism Views on how Security can best be Achieved According to the liberal internationalism perspective, security be best achieved using various ways and mechanisms. One of the feasible ways that security can best be achieved is through formally establishing peace in all states through establishing one international state. Kant argues that neither the aspect of balance of power nor the existing international laws can provide adequate solution to the problem of war and security (Hurrell, 1990, p189). This is because when men are in a state of nature they tend to abandon order and may resort to war. In addition the state of nature within the international context allows states to make war or enter into hostile activities as long as the state protects its rights. As a result in despite of the existence of mechanisms such as balance of power and international laws as rational ways in which states can coexist, attaining se curity can rather be difficult, unless men renounce their lawless freedom and savage and are governed by one international state (Hurrell, 1990, p189). Steans et al (2010, p56) also back Kant’s notion of developing one international state. Steans et al (2010, p56) argue that many divisions do not usually occur within the one state essentially when it has well a established or grounded foreign policy.