The Promise and Limits of Liberal Internationalism in Theory and Practice

Abstract

Liberal internationalism presents an ambitious vision of a peaceful, rule-based international order grounded in democracy, human rights, and multilateral cooperation. Drawing on Kantian philosophy and Wilsonian idealism, it assumes that liberal democratic states are inherently more peaceful and capable of sustaining international stability. However, the practical application of liberal internationalism has repeatedly fallen short of its theoretical promise. Historical experiences after both World Wars and during the post–Cold War era reveal persistent tensions between universal liberal norms and state sovereignty, cultural diversity, and power politics. Humanitarian intervention and the promotion of democracy have often been perceived as instruments of Western, particularly American, hegemony. Consequently, while liberal internationalism remains normatively attractive, structural inequalities, geopolitical interests, and resistance from non-liberal states have rendered its full realization largely impractical.