Liberal States Values
When curtains fell to mark the end of the cold war, countries like the United States who were the protagonists in the cold war era resorted to promoting international spread of democracy. This became guiding principle in the formulation of foreign policy (Lynn-Jones, 1998). Democratization therefore became America's next mission because it was believed liberal democracy would benefit the citizens of new democracies, promote international peace, and serve America's interests abroad. This paper supports the notion that liberal states like the United States are obliged to promote their values abroad.
United States of America is a country that is credited for having an open democratic space where anybody can air out their grievances without the fear of being shut up by the government. It is the hallmark of almost every person migrating to the U.S. To experience the liberal approach to almost everything, the liberal approach to issues defines an American, whether intentionally or unintentionally. America is also one of the countries with robust civil liberties. Buoyed by these, they have been, over the past years been trying to also promote liberal democracy abroad (Lynn-Jones, 1998). Modern day democracy has got all to do with a system of governance where rulers are held accountable for their action in the public realm by the citizens who act indirectly through the competition and cooperation of their elected representatives (Sartori, 1987). Democracy must take into consideration the full political participation of all citizens.
By promoting values like liberal democracy abroad, the United States stands to improve the well-being of other human beings. Bonds of common humanity, which are often limited by the competitive nature of the international system, should spread beyond the borders of the United States. The human race is still far from embracing a cosmopolitan moral vision where borders and national identities no longer matter. However, there is a possibility for action in response to citizen's outcry of violation of their basic human rights (Lynn-Jones, 1998). The United States has always been concerned about human rights issues, and governmental and non-governmental efforts to relive hunger, poverty, and suffering overseas. This clearly shows that major international political actors like...
The urge to improve the lives of citizens of other countries has strengthened their resolve to promote democracy. Promotion of democracy is therefore perceived to be a means to an end. Because the United States was founded on the principle of securing liberty for its citizens, Americans have developed a peculiar interest in promoting the spread of liberty. In fact, America's founding documents and institutions emphasize liberty as the core value (Lynn-Jones, 1998). America's identity as a nation is synonymous to commitment to liberal and democratic values. Promotion of democracy expands human liberty. The United States therefore has a greater stake when it comes to promotion of core value of liberty as she was founded on a set of ideas, and ideals that can be applied across the globe. Not only those who were in Britain's 13 American colonies have inalienable rights of life, liberty, and happiness but also citizens residing in countries in different geographical locations who also have a right to establish governments that derive their powers from the consent of the governed.
The United States in advancing its core value to liberty has a responsibility to improve the lives of citizens in other countries as it cannot insulate itself from the world. With the advancement in communication technology the world has become more interconnected. The United States must spread its values abroad the widespread misery across the globe directly impacts the government's activities with respect to creation of political turmoil, economic instability, refugee flows, and environmental damage (Lynn-Jones, 1998). Promotion of democracy abroad therefore advances national interests of the United States as political shenanigans abroad directly impact the United States government and the general population.
Democracy enhances the lives of those living in such democracies ultimately leading to promotion of individual liberty. Such citizens freely express themselves. They also have freedom of conscience and freedom to own private property. The rulers therefore have respect for the sovereign's individual liberty. Liberty is a peculiar virtue of democracy (Lynn-Jones, 1998). Free and fair election which is a manifestation of democratic…
