Liberalism is a school of thought within international relations theory which revolves around three interrelated principles:[citation needed][1] This school of thought emphasizes three factors that encourage more cooperation and less conflict among states: Liberals believe that international institutions play a key role in cooperation among states via interdependence.
[3] Liberals also argue that international diplomacy can be a very effective way to get states to interact with each other honestly and support nonviolent solutions to problems.
[4] With the proper institutions and diplomacy, Liberals believe that states can work together to maximize prosperity and minimize conflict.
With the theory's prime principle being international cooperation and peace, early influences are seen in some bigger religious practices sharing the same goal.
[9] Followed shortly after was the Enlightenment where liberal ideals began to develop with works by philosophers such as Voltaire, Locke, Smith, and German thinker Immanuel Kant.
[10] The length and disastrous effects of the Thirty Years' War caused a common disdain for warfare throughout much of Europe.
Locke argues that civil government can help people gain the basic human rights of health, liberty and possession.
After seeing success in intertwining states through economic coalition, liberal supporters began to believe that warfare was not always an inevitable part of international relations.