THE REALIST LIBERAL DEMOCRACY AND ITS POLICIES TOWARD INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES
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Date
2015-06-18
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Johns Hopkins University
Abstract
When the Arab Spring began in late 2010 and continued into 2011, a rash of debate erupted in political science and international theory regarding the likelihood of a wave of liberal democracy spreading throughout the Middle East. As was the case with the fall of communism and the anticipated wave of liberal democracy, Arab Spring analysis mostly failed to capture or even acknowledge what a liberal democracy is or how it behaves, particularly in policies towards individual citizens. In the absence of widespread accepted theory regarding state domestic policies, the aim of this thesis is examine empirical data regarding Liberal and Realist theory in International Relations to help understand the relationship between today’s liberal democracies and their citizenry.
The author combines empirical and theoretical research to uncover that liberal democracies today operate firmly within realist theory in both policy formation and practice. By identifying that liberal democracies operate today in line with realist theory, this thesis provides a series of considerations for United States policy makers and political scientists when analyzing, state currently considered to be liberal democracies, as well as those that are emerging. It offers areas of specific focus for U.S. policy makers to consider in terms of investing political and economic capital in encouraging liberal democracy.
Within the context of the policies of liberal democracies toward their individual citizenry, the first chapter investigates realist theory and the nature of the relationship between the liberal democracy and human rights policies. Using empirical research, this chapter reveals that today’s liberal democracies represent realist theory and violate human rights, in the interests of state security. The second chapter reveals today’s liberal democracy policies towards internet freedom and exposes that, in line with realist theory, state interests have taken primacy over individual liberties. Lastly, the final chapter offers an in-depth examination of religious policy in liberal democracies by focusing on the decision-making process of two post-Soviet emerging liberal democracies. This chapter finds evidence supporting realist theory in terms of the state’s focus on preserving its own power over the protection of individual religious liberties.
Thesis Advisors:
Chapter 1: Dr. Leila G. Austin
Chapter 2: Alexander T. Alden
Chapter 3: Dr. Ramez Abbas, Dr. Mark Stout
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Keywords
liberal democracy