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Global Peace – An Islamic Perspective ACET– Global Peace Project

LIBERALISM

Liberalism’s core assumption is opposed to Realism, arguing that people are inherently

compassionate and peaceful. Liberalism, also called idealism, promotes cooperation and

communication between people as the best way for each person to achieve their goals or

desires. [4]

Liberalism relates to the concept of globalisation – the idea that the world is becoming

increasingly connected – as a reason for more communication and cooperation internationally.
In Liberalism, when nations work together, they create connections and reliance upon each

other. This fosters mutual interests, where the survival and success of one nation benefits

another, thus making war and conflict between nations undesirable. With cooperation

internationally (through economies, treaties, or cultural exchange), interdependence builds

between nations. Thus, war becomes less beneficial, and more costly.

Liberalism assumes that people are inherently good, and that working together is the best

means for achieving peace. This promotes compassion and cooperation, and encourages people

to work towards the betterment of the global community. Though academic and political in
nature, Liberalism is similar to the foundations of many religions, in that it fosters positive

relationships between people. Liberalism attempts to achieve peace by uniting the world’s

nations towards a common goal, and calling for people to work together to strive for peace.

Peace in this framework is more than just the absence of war, but is also the active processes

of cooperation and building mutually beneficial goals, whether between nations or individuals.

After decades of realist ideology, and Cold War politics dominating international relations, the

global community has, in more recent times, turned towards Liberalism. Institutions such as

the United Nations and the European Union have been created to build communication, trust,

and cooperation between nations.

For instance, the preamble of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) states: [5]

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