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International relations theory is a set of ideas that explains and provide how the
international system works in the society. Unlike ideology, a theory of international relations is
backed up with concrete evidence or proof that can be viewed today. 1Most theories of
international relations are based on the idea that states always act in accordance with their national
interest, or the interests of that particular state. State interests often include self-preservation,
military security, economic prosperity, and influence over other states. Sometimes two or more
states have the same national interest. For example, two states might both want to foster peace and
economic trade. And states with diametrically opposing national interests might try to resolve their
differences through negotiation or even war. Liberalism is one of the major theories of international
relations that deal with broad ties among states that have both made it difficult to define national
interest and decreased the usefulness of military power as the use of force. Liberalism believes that
cooperation among states is possible and international rules and organizations can help foster
cooperation, trust, and prosperity. Liberalism also became part of global governance that provide
role in international organization in building world peace, maintain balance of power and hegemony
and state sovereignty.

First the role of international organization in building world peace through liberalism, in the
idea of peace; liberalism is possible because liberals believe that freedom for the individual and for
every state must prevail. Liberalism’s core ideals stress individualism, human rights, universality,
freedom from authority, right to be treated equally under the protection of law and duty to respect
and treat others as ethical subjects as well as freedom for social action. (Doyle, pp.206-207;
Fukuyama, 1992, p. 42) In relation to this liberalism guarantee individual freedoms is the concept of
representative government as well as the importance of the ownership of private property, right to
free economic activity without state interference. Liberalism creates political institutions, in order
individuals and the state will be able to cooperate with one another to reach common objectives
and goals to maintain peace and global governance. However according to Moravcsik, sometimes
institutions may be more focused on the individual human being, whereas in others, it may be the
formation of an international institution such as an international organization, which is composed of
state actors. But regardless, through institutions that establish and protect norms such as individual
rights, as well as an open economic market, states can cooperate with one another to not only
improve their economic wealth, but also that they can, through institutions and cooperation, be
more secure as a state. United Nations is one of the examples of institution of liberalism that pushes
world peace through cooperation among states. These institutions have a huge role in bringing
world peace and alliance among states after World War II and these international institutions like
United Nation and European Union cooperate to the different states by making agreements and
treaties so that global peace and security will prevail. 2There is a strong focus on regional and
international organizations. Such organizations can help the international community reach
continual peaceful outcomes, which are possible to liberals. Furthermore, with liberalism, there is a
belief that states can indeed cooperate by themselves; there is no need for a sole superpower to
organize or force such behaviour. Indeed liberalism perspective of peace is truly possible and
acceptable by many sovereign states.

Second balance of power and hegemony in liberalism, The great powers have several
mechanisms to restore the balance, including internal military build-up where economic wealth is
converted into military power, the formation of counterbalancing alliances that liberalism guarantee
and support to achieved freedom and own determination. A state that is powerful like United States
of America used power to influence and governed other states and creates alliance among them.

1
http://www.sparknotes.com/us-government-and-politics/political-science/international-
politics/section2.rhtml
2
http://internationalrelations.org/liberalismpluralism/
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Liberals view power as an essential source for mutual benefits and cooperation. 3Balance of Power
refers to the distribution of power capabilities of rival states or alliance. The balance of power theory
maintains that when one state or alliance increases its power or applies it more aggressively to
threatened states in order to increase their own power in response, often by forming a counter-
balancing coalition. Balance of Power is a central concept in neorealist theory. For liberals balance
of power of the state can be applied when there is a threat to security and liberal value or freedom
of the state. However the use of excessive force for own interest cannot be a good reason for using
force to other states because it did not reflect and carried peace in the international arena. In
addition liberals argue that stability and relative peace can be achieved in the international system
through a hegemon who sets the agenda for global institutions by playing an active part in
international politics. (Nye, 1990, p.153; Doyle, 1983, p.223) This theory which is known as the
hegemonic stability theory holds the view that a hegemon in the international system of states who
has more economic and military power than other states can produce economic stability which is
seen as a collective/public good in the international system and all the states benefit from it. The
hegemon can do so without disregarding its own security interests because other countries benefit
from the economic stability that is produced regardless of whether or not they contribute to it. For
the hegemonic stability theory to function the hegemon must, put lead trade liberalization, stay
committed to an open market economy (a form of economy where states can freely trade with one
another) and also encourages development in underdeveloped areas of the world. In addition
liberalism offers the possibility of peace even as states mass power, on the basis that power has now
taken a less destructive form, from guns to bank notes and exports and imports of trade, in that
scenario power of hegemony have established a huge impact on states by influencing or controlling
its economy and preventing global governance. The shift of power from military to economic power
creates the need for greater linkage therefore, the new emphasis on globalization as well as
increased cooperation among states and individuals to maintain peace and balance among states.
According to Waltz , states still mass power even under the liberal system, the main difference being
the fact that power is now better accrued if more cooperation is realized within the framework of
international politics. This need for linkage and economic progress then accounts for the liberalist’s
stress on free trade and market capitalism, as well as allowing for the legitimate selection of
government through democratic action. Liberalism operates under real-world conditions, reflecting
state interest, if only that such advancement results in peace instead of the expected dose of
conflict. Liberalism perspective is no longer just a projection of how politics tend to be, but is now a
modern, practical theory of peace achieved in the midst of anarchic conditions and even after the
states search for power. This need for linkage and economic progress then accounts for the
liberalist’s stress on free trade and market capitalism, as well as allowing for the legitimate selection
of government through democratic action. Indeed liberalism operates under real-world conditions,
reflecting state interest for the benefit of its people because they know that it will results in peace
instead of the expected dose of conflict.

Lastly the role and idea of liberalism in state sovereignty, 4The State sovereignty is the
concept that states are in complete and exclusive control of all the people and property within their
territory. State sovereignty also includes the idea that all states are equal as states. In other words,
despite their different land masses, population sizes, or financial capabilities, all states, ranging from

3
http://www.legalserviceindia.com/article/l326-Balance-of-Power-in-International-Relations.html
4
http://www.globalization101.org/the-issue-of-sovereignty/
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tiny and vast island have an equal right to function as a state and make decisions about what occurs
within their own borders. Since all states are equal in this sense, one state does not have the right to
interfere with the internal affairs of another state unless it threatens world security. Under the
concept of state sovereignty, no state has the authority to tell another state how to control its
internal affairs. Sovereignty both grants and limits power; it gives states complete control over their
own territory while restricting the influence that states have on one another. States sovereignty is
possible in liberalism because it carried out all the perspective and idea of liberalism and it
advocates freedom and equality which are the main goal of liberals. The state’s behaviour on the
world stage does not only submit for their own national interests, but also to the common values,
recognized by all of the states because states behaviour become the basis on how states deal with
other states. In liberalism state government is not the only single institution responsible for foreign
policy but also the people, and the State’s security against potential foreign threats is the objective
of all society but also the people as part of the state. However like what I said early before liberalism
guarantee freedom from interference from other states especially in internal conflicts unless the
state cannot comply anymore with the global standard or regulations set by this international
organizations. Furthermore liberalism suggest that the most direct way to provide state sovereignty
is through democratization of all countries in the world because democratization of states
guaranteed peace and freedom among states whose willing to be democratized and also state that
become democratic improving and developing the growth of freedom, the strength of the
democratization process, the increase in tolerance and civil responsibility it may be a chance to
evolve the whole world political system and gradual refusal of the strict hieratical structure and
material technologies and resources. Is truly indeed that liberalism is acceptable to the state
sovereignty.

Therefore, we can see that liberalism as part of international relation theory have played an
important role in building world peace, maintaining balance of power among states and protecting
the state sovereignty of every of nation. Liberalism also advocates the freedom and equality of
every individual and democratizations of states. It also established institution and organization to
create global governance in order to secure peace and security. However, liberalism did not totally
provide solutions on securing international peace but rather it suggest and set examples to follow by
those who want to choose liberalism.

Sources:

Doyle, M. W. (1983) Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs. Philosophy & Public Affairs, 12(3), pp.
206-207 http://www.jstor.org/stable/2265298

Doyle, M. W. (1983) Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs, Part 2. Philosophy & Public Affairs,
12(4), pp.223-235 http://www.jstor.org/stable/2265377

Fukuyama. F. (1992) The end of history and the last man. New York: Macmillan, Inc.

Moravcsik, Andrew: Liberalism and International Relations Theory. Paper No. 92-6, pages 1-53.
Available Online: https://www.princeton.edu/~amoravcs/library/liberalism_working.pdf

Waltz, K. N. (1979) Theory of International Politics. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Burchill, S. (2005) Realism and Liberalism : Theories of International Relations, 3/E.

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Fukuyama, F. (1992) The End of History and the Last Man.