Conceptualizing Liberal Interventionism: Theory and Practice

Abstract

A paradigm for foreign policy known as liberal interventionism combines liberal ideas with a readiness to use force or other forms of intervention to protect human rights and promote democracy across the globe. The theoretical foundations of liberal interventionism are examined in this article, with particular attention paid to its central tenets: multilateralism, humanitarianism, cosmopolitan ideals, adherence to international law, the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, and the promotion of liberal democracy. Proponents contend that these actions can stop egregious violations of human rights and promote long-term stability on a worldwide scale. Critics, however, raise concerns about the interventions' consistency, their possible exploitation for geopolitical ends, and the difficulty of imposing liberal values in a variety of cultural contexts. This article looks at the theoretical underpinnings and objections in an effort to provide a more complex understanding of liberal interventionism.