Liberal wars: strategy, history, ideology

6-7 July, 2012, University of Reading

Liberalism is not pacifism. The major ‘liberal’- states that attach importance, at least internally, to individual autonomy – have frequently been willing to use military force; they have also, on occasion, fought aggressive wars of choice. But liberal ideology and practice are not at ease with military adventures: war of its very nature involves attacks on life; it usually requires some kind of trade-off between security and liberty; and it encourages a warrior ethos that draws upon non-liberal motivations.

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