A Week of Liberalism: Reflection

For most of this week we have been focused on the liberal theory of international relations. We all seemed to agree that it was an ideal system and as professor Jackson pointed out in class on Friday, we have grown up with it. It think our discussion led up to a critical junction when professor Jackson asked us if liberal society is so good, should everyone have it? I have no doubt that a liberal society such as the United States is the most free and peaceful system we have to date. Liberal societies tend not to fight one another and society is characterized as a democratic republic form of government. This gives people a voice and opportunities to better themselves. I think that if it is possible, that all nations should attempt to have a society much like this.

That being said I also respect sovereignty. If a people decide for themselves that they do not want a liberal society, then that is their choice. Unless they pose a national security threat to ourselves or our allies than it is really their own business as to whether they have an open liberal society. There is a catch with this as well however. I only approve of this as long as everyone has equal opportunities to live differently. For instance, I feel that if in Afghanistan the people really wanted to live by Shari'a law then so be it. However, if there are people who chose not to live by strict Islamic law then they should be allowed to exercise their own beliefs.

This begs the question that since freedom of religion, expression, and equal opportunity are a part of liberal society then wouldn't this be a case of a liberal society in Afghanistan? My answer would be if you limit a liberal society to these things, then yes. I feel that a true liberal society encompasses so much more however. My bottom line is that if a people decide for themselves (people being the key word) that they want to have a more authoritarian and hierarchical society then that is their right as a sovereign people. The key is that they must still have the opportunity to choose for themselves and not be persecuted for political and ethnic reasons. Given these this information I would advocate that a liberal society is the best way to guarantee this freedom from the beginning and that is why you do not see peaceful and sedate authoritarian regimes.