prospects of liberal internationalism final.pdf (424.14 kB)
Liberal internationalism: historical trajectory and current prospects
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 08:13 authored by Beate JahnLiberal internationalism has been in crisis for a while now. Yet, until recently its supporters have argued that its prospects are better than ever since the successful spread of liberal principles, practices and institutions in the international sphere provides the necessary basis for reform. Alas, recent political developments do not support these expectations. In fact, the Brexit vote, the Trump election, and the rise of populism more generally challenge liberalism in the domestic sphere and aim to unravel its international achievements. But the idea that these movements are therefore liberalism's nemesis does not quite follow. Providing a theoretical and historical analysis of liberalism, this article shows that the separation of domestic and international politics is constitutive of liberalism itself. The successful extension of liberal principles into the international sphere undermines this separation and thus liberalism itself. Ironically, therefore, the prospects of liberal internationalism are dependent on the reestablishment of a clear divide between domestic and international politics. And this, I argue, is precisely the goal of contemporary populist movements.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
International AffairsISSN
0020-5850Publisher
Blackwell PublishingExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
94Page range
43-61Department affiliated with
- International Relations Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2017-10-09First Open Access (FOA) Date
2020-01-05First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2017-10-09Usage metrics
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