Liberalism · Chapter
VIII: International Liberty explained
This chapter examines the Liberal principle of noninterference in international affairs, arguing that opposing force is essential to liberty, that militarism undermines free institutions and diverts resources from civilization, and that as
What happens
This chapter examines the Liberal principle of noninterference in international affairs, arguing that opposing force is essential to liberty, that militarism undermines free institutions and diverts resources from civilization, and that as freedom spreads, aggression becomes purposeless.
Themes in this chapter
Nationalism and International Peace
The chapter argues that as the world becomes free, the use of force becomes meaningless, linking the spread of liberty to the possibility of international peace.
Freedom of Thought and Expression
Implicitly, the opposition to force and armaments protects the conditions for free thought and expression by preventing the military spirit from eroding free institutions.
Key passages
“If noninterference is the best thing for the barbarian many Liberals have thought it to be the supreme wisdom in international affairs generally.”
Many Liberals believe that the principle of noninterference, which is beneficial for so-called barbarians, should also be the guiding rule for all international relations.
Introduces the core Liberal stance on nonintervention in foreign affairs.
“It is of the essence of Liberalism to oppose the use of force, the basis of all tyranny.”
A fundamental tenet of Liberalism is its opposition to force, which underlies all forms of tyranny.
Establishes the foundational Liberal opposition to coercion.
“Not only may the military force be directly turned against liberty, as in Russia, but there are more subtle ways, as in Western Europe, in which the military spirit eats into free institutions and absorbs the public resources which might go to the advancement of civilization.”
Military force can directly suppress liberty, as seen in Russia, but in Western Europe it more subtly corrodes free institutions and diverts resources from civilizational progress.
Highlights both overt and insidious threats of militarism to liberty.
“In proportion as the world becomes free, the use of force becomes meaningless. There is no purpose in aggression if it is not to issue in one form or another of national subjection.”
As freedom spreads globally, the use of force loses its purpose, because aggression only makes sense if it leads to some form of national subjugation.
Connects the expansion of liberty to the obsolescence of war and conquest.