Does democratic peace theory genuinely envision global peace? a critical approach
Democratic Peace Theory has been one of the most hotly debated topics ever since the 1980s. From Kant to the present day, the meaning of Democratic Peace Theory has changed, while the theory nowadays claims in principle that democratic states wage war against each other less often owing to their...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universiti Utara Malaysia Press
2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://repo.uum.edu.my/26960/1/JIS%2015%202019%2073-86.pdf http://repo.uum.edu.my/26960/ http://jis.uum.edu.my/index.php/current-issues |
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| Summary: | Democratic Peace Theory has been one of the most hotly debated topics ever since the 1980s.
From Kant to the present day, the meaning of Democratic Peace Theory has changed, while
the theory nowadays claims in principle that democratic states wage war against each
other less often owing to their institutions’ and citizens’ abilities to urge their governments
to establish a peaceful foreign policy. At this point, the critical theory offers an alternative
explanation for the behaviors of democratic countries. This study was designed as a
theoretical discussion utilising the analysis of primary and secondary sources in the field,
both in printed and electronic materials. Employing the viewpoint of the critical theory, this paper argues that Democratic Peace is the disguise of hegemonic relations and the product
of the historical block. This study revealed that democracies are not pacifist actors in the
international realm. As articulated by the critical approach, the study also puts forth that
the concept of Democratic peace facilitates the expansionist ambitions of hegemonic powers
in the international system by utilizing various humanitarian interventions and serves as a
means to maintain imperialist peace. Empirical evidence from the military intervention
in Libya further reinforces this argument. Thus, this study asserts the idea to be cautious
against the propositions of the Democratic Peace Theory because any activities done in
the name of spreading democracy may involve a hidden agenda and disrupt the internal
stability of non-democratic countries. |
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