Idealism

John Akokpari and Annette Seegers

Copyright 20231

Introduction
Idealism provided the intellectual basis for explaining international relations
during the inter-war period (1919-39). It was a tradition concerned with
preventing war, especially a world war, and the promotion of peace and
security:
It rejected balance of power politics.
It believed international law and institutions could maintain
international peace.
Believed in the harmony of interest of states.
Believed that there exists some standard of morality or ethics, which
governs the behaviour of states.
Believed in democracy and the force of public opinion.

Criticisms of Idealism
i. By focusing on law and institutions, Idealism dealt with the
form rather than the substance of international relations.
Focused on how international relations ought to be conducted
and not how it is conducted.

ii. Ignores the role of power.

iii. Assumes that there is a harmony of interest among states.

The rise of a pervasive totalitarian regime in Russia, the rise of

Nazism in Germany and Fascism in Italy in the 1930s, all
challenged the notions of democracy, equality, and self-
determination.

iv. The outbreak of World War II discredited Idealism. But continue

to exist in many forms. Constructivism?

1
Based on various sources.