Part II Approaches, Ch.23 Liberal Internationalism

Subject(s):

Responsibility of international organizations — Customary international law — General principles of international law — Relationship of international law & host state law — Sources of international law

This chapter aims to evaluate the significance of liberal internationalism, but also to consider the ways in which it has become over-familiar, and to explore whether making it strange again might offer some form of renewal of its critical and normative possibilities. It considers the significance of liberal internationalism as an idea and frame through which to evaluate international law, revisits a series of key events that have shaped the development of liberal internationalism and critical responses to it, and finally, engages with and expands upon contemporary efforts at reappraisal and renewal. By framing the story of liberal internationalism through key debates and events, it is hoped that a balanced account of both the strengths and limits of liberal internationalism emerges.