International Relations and Classical Liberalism: A Comparative Analysis

International Relations 1
International relations
Introduction:
International relations is the complex approach which is considered as the family of theories and
number of theories are offered by the international relations, and these theories presents the
challenge before the new comers to IR theory. This paper defines the theories related to the

International relations 2
international society (the English school) and the classical liberalism, and this paper also defines
the major difference between the two.
The English School theory provides the base for studying the international and world history in
lieu of the social structures of the international orders, and this study provides the holistic
approach to the concept of the international relations and makes attempt to see the world as
whole. This theory is framed on the basis of the difference between three important concepts that
are international system, international society and world society. This theory results in the new
approach in the IR theory and also facilitates the middle ground between the opposing theories of
realism and liberalism (Stivachtis, 2018). this Essay defines the theory related to the international
society under The English School.
On the other hand, Classical liberalism is the term which is used for defining the ideology deals
with the private property, an unrestricted market economy, rule of law, constitutional guarantees
related to the freedom of religion and press, and international peace in terms of free trade.
Classical liberalism is considered as the political theory which is based on the belief in
individual, negative freedom, non-religious natural law, spontaneous order, a limited state, and
the rule of law. This article defines the theory related to classical liberalism and then applied that
theory to the international relations, and because of this it is necessary to sketch the outlines of
the classical liberal approach to the politics of the world.
International Society:
International society is defined as the institutionalization of the shared interest and identity in the
states, and rationalism position the creation and management of the shared values, rules, and
institutions by considering the IR theory. Position of International society theory is parallel to
regime theory, but this theory is much deeper in concept and has constitutive approach instead of
only instrumental implications. International society approach is derived from the English School
thinking, and the concept related to this society is quite well developed and relatively clear (Bull,
1966).
During the period of 17th and 18th centuries, international society is considered as the privileged
association of European and ‘civilized’ states, which hold visible expression in the certain
institutions which involves international law, diplomacy, and the balance of power. There was
the sense of European powers which were guaranteed by the code of conduct in their dealings
with each other and this code of conduct is not implemented in their dealings with other
societies. In 19th century, lawyers of international law spread the cultural duality between the
Europeans and Non-Europeans and also between the civilized and non-civilized peoples. The
difference between the civilized and barbarous’ humanity means that states which belongs to the
any category in context of the different stages of legal recognition. Later, when European
international society extends its power all over the globe, there are number of non-European
states who want to join the international society. Therefore, European states required to frame

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those rules and regulations under which non-European political institutions can be admitted. The
result of all these efforts was seen in the establishment of the civilization standard, and these
standards reflect the norms related to the liberal European civilization (Murray, 2018).
It must be noted that civilization standards includes those standards which reflects the
compliance of basic human rights, and also ensure the maintenance of the domestic legal system
which provide justice and equality. Therefore, it can be said that those countries which are not
willing or unable to guarantee such rights cannot be considered as he civilized nations.
A new international society is established at the end of First World War (1914–1918), and
establishment of this society is followed by the League of Nations in 1920. This League of
Nations is established for the new global international society which is framed for accepting all
the laws and regulations that have been introduced by the European international society, which
also includes its international law and diplomacy (Bull, 1977). I must be noted that, basic
assumptions related to the sovereignty and the judicial equality of the states is recognized by the
members of the society. The appearance of the bipolar world of the Cold War (1947–1991), I
which world is divided by the two superpowers into their preferred paths, and this result in the
separation of the new global international society between the two international societies in
which one deals with the United States and one with the Soviet Union. Conclusion of this war
during the period of 1991 consider two concepts; first related with the separation of the global
international society which already ended, and second related with the regional international
societies (Alderson & Hurrell, n.d.).
As argued by the Hedley Bull, states shared the particular common interest that is unusual fear of
the unrestricted violence, and this result in the development of the particular set of rules. On the
basis of this argument it can be said that international society is exited at the time when either
group of states or group of the independent political communities which usually not form any
system in the context that behavior of each group is the most important factors for determining
the behavior of other states, but it also established the dialogue and common rules for
determining their behavior and also recognize their common interest for this purpose. Bull
further stated any type of society required rules for restraining different practices such as use of
force, holiness of agreements, property laws. If these elements are not present then there is no
society (Bull, 1966).
It must be noted that these rules are stated in the set of institutions that mainly determine the
normative structure of any society at international level. In context of the classical English
School these rules are war, the great powers, diplomacy, the balance of power, and international
law, mainly in the mutual understanding of the power of the states. Some other rules might be
included in the existing rules such as territoriality, nationalism, the market, and human equality.
However, these rules are not binding in nature and there are no such institutions which make
order against the violations of these rules, and because of this discussing these rules cause more
suitable. Those states which respect these basic rules will form an international society.